Many people pass this place daily without paying it much attention. To be fair, it does not look very inviting; enclosed within the huge and somewhat repelling building complex is an open space with underground car park entrances, and its sheer monumentality starkly contrasts with Weimar’s otherwise small-town charm. Nevertheless, the Gauforum is as much a part of the city’s history as Theaterplatz, Schillerhaus, and Frauenplan. So why do we know so little about it?

The tasks traditionally handled by the administrative departments at universities has changed considerably in recent decades: these classic administrative offices have since evolved into hubs for academic management. Often, the staff are the first point of contact for academics, students, decentralised administrative departments and external guests. They not only coordinate events, but also distribute information, handle financial matters and communicate – across departments, proactively and often »seemingly effortlessly«.

The tasks traditionally handled by the administrative departments at universities has changed considerably in recent decades: these classic administrative offices have since evolved into hubs for academic management. Often, the staff are the first point of contact for academics, students, decentralised administrative departments and external guests. They not only coordinate events, but also distribute information, handle financial matters and communicate – across departments, proactively and often »seemingly effortlessly«.

Imagine coming to Weimar, touring the Gropius Room and being able to invite your relatives in Hamburg to join you virtually. Imagine them experiencing the room not just on a video call, but as 3D avatars. You can talk to them live and – thanks to AI – even talk to the objects in the room.

The way people live is incredibly important – not only on an individual level, but also on a societal one. Our residential built environment affects social developments much in the same way our social practices affect our housing situation – but in what ways, exactly? Where do the conflicts and challenges lie, and how can research help solve the major housing issues we are facing?

»Demokratie stärken« (strengthening democracy) was the theme at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar in 2024. More than 30 projects that focussed on strengthening democracy and participating in democratic processes were carried out through the university's own courses, research projects, and art projects, all in cooperation with partners in Weimar and Thuringia. The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s intention was to improve trust in democracy, science, art and educational institutions in 2024 during Thuringia’s super election year.

The global population is increasing steadily, as is the trend towards urbanisation. More and more surfaces are being paved. Green is turning more and more into grey – even in cities. Without plants to cool and clean urban air, heat islands and particle pollution will increase dramatically. Additionally, the increasing heavy rainfalls lead to increased flooding if the water is only able to drain into the sewer system and not into green spaces. In order for our cities to be sustainably liveable, they need more vegetation without sacrificing the usable spaces for which demand is increasing. This is precisely where innovative solutions like the VertiKKA project at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering come into play.

Sustainability is more than just reducing emissions: It is a commitment to socially responsible behaviour. At the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, sustainability and environmental awareness are more than just theoretical concepts – they are both a driving forces and a guiding principle. But what does it mean to make a university sustainable? Since the summer of 2023, the Sustainability Team, led by Vice President for Social Transformation Dr. Ulrike Kuch, has been working on implementing concrete changes.

Long-lasting, robust, malleable – concrete is the 21st century’s most important building material. The original three-material system (cement, gravel, water) has become a high-performance material with properties that can be customised through the mix formulation. But there is one problem: Once concrete has been mixed, it can no longer be adapted. This means that unwanted changes in flow behaviour or durability—caused, for example, by varying environmental conditions or fluctuations in raw materials—can no longer be corrected.

A lack of public services, an ageing population, shrinking communities, climate change, a loss of trust in democracy — the Thuringian Forest is facing a broad range of challenges. But at the same time, ecological and social changes are opening up new opportunities—what will it take to sustainably transform the region for future generations?