![Seminargebäude ‘Erweiterung Süd’ / Simon Freie Architekten BDA - Image 1 of 22](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5936/a46f/e58e/ce41/ef00/021c/newsletter/Simon_Freie_Architekten_Hochschule_der_Medien_8.jpg?1496753260)
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Architects: Simon Freie Architekten BDA
- Area: 3240 m²
- Year: 2016
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Photographs:Brigida Gonzalez
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Manufacturers: FSB Franz Schneider Brakel, Hormann, Warema
![Seminargebäude ‘Erweiterung Süd’ / Simon Freie Architekten BDA - Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5936/a4a4/e58e/ce41/ef00/0220/newsletter/Simon_Freie_Architekten_Hochschule_der_Medien_15.jpg?1496753313)
Text description provided by the architects. The Stuttgart Media University (HdM) can look forward to another office and lecture theatre building on the campus of the University of Stuttgart-Vaihingen.After two years of construction, the extension, designed by Stuttgart-based office Simon Freie Architekten, was officially inaugurated on 21 October. It has been used by lecturers and students since the beginning of the summer semester in March 2016.
![Seminargebäude ‘Erweiterung Süd’ / Simon Freie Architekten BDA - Glass](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5936/a453/e58e/ce41/ef00/021a/newsletter/Simon_Freie_Architekten_Hochschule_der_Medien_4.jpg?1496753232)
The four-storey cube, designed as a freestanding building, offers around 1,850 m2 of additional space, and thus much needed space relief, to the fast-growing university. In addition to generously designed seminar and project rooms, it also accommodates a lecture theatre, a photo studio, the further education centre and a so-called "creativity lab", which can be used for various functions. An attractive outdoor orientation is established through a west-facing outdoor area which can also be used as a “green classroom”.
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5936/a519/e58e/ce41/ef00/0223/newsletter/Simon_Freie_Architekten_Hochschule_der_Medien_Grundriss_OG3.jpg?1496753430)
Apart from the concise cubic shape, the new lecture building is characterised by simple, timeless elegance. Its closed facades are designed to be load-bearing and consist of prefabricated concrete sandwich elements. The distinctive, large-format window openings with their uniform dimensions create transparency and at the same time ensure a bright, friendly learning environment. The large panes function as a shop window, so to speak - wide views into the surroundings and fragmentary insights into inner processes are equally possible. Wide, padded benches in the windows – the so-called “chill areas” – offer retreats and resting spaces.
![Seminargebäude ‘Erweiterung Süd’ / Simon Freie Architekten BDA - Glass](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5936/a49b/e58e/ce41/ef00/021f/newsletter/Simon_Freie_Architekten_Hochschule_der_Medien_14.jpg?1496753303)
Architect Christof Simon emphasised the greatest possible flexibility and openness in the building, taking into account the changing space requirements of a university. The seminar-, project and office spaces have non-loadbearing dry walls, allowing for subsequent modification and adaptation. On the ground floor flexible glass walls can be used to join different areas into a single surface.
![Seminargebäude ‘Erweiterung Süd’ / Simon Freie Architekten BDA - Facade, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5936/a476/e58e/ceae/5a00/016c/medium_jpg/Simon_Freie_Architekten_Hochschule_der_Medien_9.jpg?1496753267)
On the upper floors, the rooms are grouped around a central communication and lounge area, which is naturally ventilated and illuminated by breakthroughs in the floor ceilings and a roof glazing as well as the north-facing location. Ceiling breakthroughs, as well as transparent door elements with side glazing, provide visual reference, and also communication between the floors as well as the individual rooms.
![Seminargebäude ‘Erweiterung Süd’ / Simon Freie Architekten BDA - Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5936/a4ab/e58e/ceae/5a00/016f/newsletter/Simon_Freie_Architekten_Hochschule_der_Medien_16.jpg?1496753319)