In future, students and lecturers in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and information technology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) will experience the entire process from the initial idea to the finished product at the Mechatronics Learning and Application Center (LAZ). From 2023, the LAZ is expected to offer innovative teaching concepts as well as improved space for student learning and working and a project-oriented infrastructure, such as a student workshop. Today (November 15, 2021), KIT celebrated the laying of the foundation stone together with guests from business, politics and science.
Once completed, students will be able to develop and implement their ideas in the LAZ in a modern learning and teaching environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure. For example, they will be able to design and test their products using state-of-the-art digitalized machine tools and the latest software.
"The future new building for the Learning and Application Center fits perfectly into the structure on Kaiserstraße to the east, between the existing institutes. A large glazed area facing Kaiserstraße brings light into the basement and allows citizens to see into the building. The new building thus presents itself as an important link between KIT and society," says State Secretary of Finance Gisela Splett.
"The new building of the Mechatronics Learning and Application Center makes it possible to accompany product development from the idea to the use of a new product. This project-oriented and cross-faculty approach combines new teaching and learning concepts, research and innovation in an exemplary manner and will make an important contribution to improving student success in technical and engineering degree courses," said Dr. Hans J. Reiter, Ministerial Director at the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts.
"The new Mechatronics Learning and Application Center will combine research, teaching and industrial application in a unique way," says KIT President Professor Holger Hanselka. "The LAZ will give our product development students the special opportunity to participate in exciting research projects and put their theoretical knowledge into practice using state-of-the-art technology."
The Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe, Dr. Frank Mentrup, emphasizes: "With today's laying of the foundation stone, KIT's South Campus is once again consciously opening up towards the city centre and drawing a new image of the eastern entrance to the city at Durlacher Tor, which now stands for the urban development, but also for the further development of KIT. The LAZ will leave its mark: as an eye-catcher, a point of attraction and orientation. These and other construction activities by Karlsruhe research institutions in recent years show me that Karlsruhe is an important location for them and that they feel connected to this city and its society."
From the idea to the finished product
With the LAZ, a center for product development is being created at KIT, where students will also learn the appropriate manufacturing techniques. "Whether a product has been designed well or badly only becomes apparent when it is used. That's why our students at the LAZ will be able to accompany the entire process - from the idea to the finished product," says Sven Matthiesen, Professor of Device Design and Machine Elements at the IPEK - Institute for Product Development at KIT, who developed the utilization concept at the LAZ. "You can only design well if you experience and understand the consequences of your actions in terms of function. This is important because design competence is developed by experiencing and reflecting on one's own actions in the design of the product developed by oneself."
New building with sustainability aspects in mind: Key data on the Mechatronics Learning and Application Center
The LAZ is part of the campus development in KIT's Masterplan 2030, which also envisages better connections between the campus and the city center. The construction site is centrally located directly on Kaiserstraße to the east, between Berliner Platz and Durlacher Tor. The plans envisage two buildings - a flat workshop building in front and a main building with five upper floors. On a usable area of around 3,000 square meters, there will be space for a lecture hall with 274 seats, modern learning areas, a prototype workshop and innovative communication and project rooms. The building will have a photovoltaic system and will be certified in accordance with the Sustainable Building Assessment System (BNB).
The state of Baden-Württemberg is the client and is investing around 20.4 million euros in the new building. The KIT is contributing 1.5 million euros to the construction project costs. In addition, a donation was made by SEW-EURODRIVE in cooperation with the KIT Foundation. The company TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen is sponsoring the KIT for the benefit of the LAZ by providing money and material resources. In addition, more than 150 other supporters from society, including in particular KIT alumni and alumnae, but also many companies and foundations, contribute to equipping the center.
As "The Research University in the Helmholtz Association", KIT creates and imparts knowledge for society and the environment. The aim is to make significant contributions to global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility and information. To this end, around 9,600 employees work together on a broad disciplinary basis in the natural sciences, engineering, economics, humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 23,300 students for responsible tasks in society, business and science through research-oriented university studies. Innovation activities at KIT bridge the gap between knowledge and application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity and the preservation of our natural resources. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.
