Main lecture hall, University Clinic Essen

Refurbishment of the lecture hall of the university hospital, Essen

In 2002 the board of directors of the university clinic in Essen decided to refurbish
the main lecture hall which was built along with the building complex in 1970, in order to bring it up-to date with the latest technology.

Nattler were assigned with the planning after winning first prize in a limited competition. The first step was to equip the projection wall with new technology.

In the second building phase the seating and the PVC flooring were removed. The whole auditorium was stripped out and a new emergency exit was added to the podium area. The side walls received maple wood panelling right up to the ceiling, visually divided by means of illuminated glass strips. This is the essential part of the whole design.

The space has become proportionally well-balanced and has been given new lighting effects that substitute the overhead working lighting on festive occasions. The former grey, sober and oppressive atmosphere has been made more friendly thanks to the maple parquet flooring which contrasts with the wine-red upholstered seats and the wine-red acoustic rear wall. The specially designed speaker's podium stands as an example for a whole row of details which were solved formatively as well as technically.

The client’s wish for an up-to-date lecture-auditorium not just for daily university use but also for congresses and festivities has been granted.