Modern working conditions for marine biodiversity research – that's what the new building of the Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at Wechloy Technology Park provides. The facility is an eye-catcher both inside and out.
The biodiversity of the oceans and the function of marine ecosystems are the focus of research at the Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg (HIFMB), an institutional cooperation between the University and the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) in Bremerhaven. Founded in 2017, the HIFMB has now unveiled its new home at the Technology Park Oldenburg. The striking new building provides optimal conditions for marine biodiversity research: with almost 2,000 square metres of floor space spread across three floors, it features 85 office workplaces as well as several conference and meeting rooms and state-of-the-art laboratories. The construction costs of around 18.6 million euros were covered by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK).
On the occasion of the official opening ceremony, Lower Saxony's Minister for Science and Culture, Falko Mohrs, said: "The Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity impressively showcases how interdisciplinary research can develop concrete solutions for the protection of our oceans. The work carried out here combines scientific excellence with practical approaches for preserving the diversity and function of marine ecosystems for future generations. The modern new building will provide even better conditions for the institute's globally relevant cutting-edge research."
During a tour of the building, the guests had the opportunity to learn more about the collaboration between different disciplines and research groups. AWI Director Prof. Dr Antje Boetius praised the HIFMB for its innovative approaches: "The networks of marine life continue to surprise us with their unique functions, adaptations and feats. Already in its start-up phase, the HIFMB has made a name for itself as a meeting point for new insights into biodiversity, for science and for society. This attracts a wide variety of talents."
The HIFMB is a prime example of collaborative and excellent research.
The President of the University of Oldenburg, Prof. Dr Ralph Bruder, emphasised the close and fruitful collaboration between the University and the AWI: "With its outstanding scientists, the HIFMB is a prime example of collaborative and excellent research. I am delighted that we now have optimal facilities for this pioneering research."
The new building's ground floor offers almost 400 square metres of laboratory space, including six wet labs and a training lab as well as four climate chambers in which experiments can be conducted under constant temperature and humidity conditions. Samples can be stored here at temperatures as low as minus 80 degrees Celsius.
The two upper floors provide 52 academic offices and various open-plan areas designed to promote communication among employees. Three semi-transparent roof panels with a total surface area of 270 square metres and the use of wooden materials throughout the building create a special atmosphere.
An international, lively environment
HIFMB founding director Prof. Dr Helmut Hillebrand sees the move into the new building as an important step for the institute's interdisciplinary concept: "We build bridges between disciplines and scientific approaches, between research and application. Our staff practice this on a daily basis, making the HIFMB an international, lively and communication-friendly environment. And this building reflects this idea with a design that encourages discourse."
The building owes its striking appearance to a facade that features 569 white panels made of a mineral composite with milled design elements inspired by coral. The Braunschweig-based architect Lars Hidde explained that the exterior conveys an impression of what is being researched inside the building. In his speech, Jürgen Krogmann, Mayor of Oldenburg, said: "With the new Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity building, the University of Oldenburg not only emphasises the importance of protecting our oceans and ecosystems but also strengthens its scientific expertise in this field. The university and the City of Oldenburg have thus provided a place of work for another key scientific research institute in our city. Its location in the Technology Park built by the City of Oldenburg was chosen with foresight: together with the buildings of the University Medicine Oldenburg, an important new hub for science, research and teaching will develop here in Oldenburg in the coming years."
About the HIFMB:
Marine biodiversity ensures the Earth's habitability for humans by contributing to key global ecosystem processes, including oxygen production, carbon fixation, transfer of energy in food webs and material cycles. Global and, in particular, human-induced environmental changes have a major impact on marine communities, whose composition is changing rapidly.
The work of the HIFMB aims to track and predict these changes. The researchers want to understand how global environmental changes affect the functioning of marine ecosystems and their contribution to humans' wellbeing. This research forms the scientific basis for sustainable conservation concepts and adaptive ecosystem management.
