Affordable housing is scarce. Currently, only about 10% of Potsdam's students are housed in a dormitory run by the Studentenwerk. The rent ranges from 175 euros to 320 euros, including all utilities, and is thus within the “BAföG-Wohnpauschale”. To ensure that even more students can find an affordable home in the future at the growing university location of Potsdam-Golm, a new student housing complex is to be built in the coming years. The current housing complex, Haus 3, will be demolished and a new building will be constructed. In this blog, we provide regular information on the project, record construction progress and address topics such as sustainability and environmental protection.
Status: 22.12.2020
Why is the Studentenwerk Potsdam building another hall of residence on Golm campus?
Golm is growing: We are pleased that the campus continues to fill with student life. A well-developed social infrastructure is therefore all the more important. Back in August 2018, the then State Secretary for Science, Research and Culture, Dr. Ulrike Gutheil, advocated for another residential complex on campus. "Golm 2 is coming," she announced at the groundbreaking ceremony for houses 17 A+B, the latest new residential building on campus. Many discussions and feasibility studies later, the new student dormitory can finally become a reality.
How many dorm places will the new building provide? What are the projected costs?
According to the specifications of the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture (MWFK), the newly constructed building will provide about 350 dorm places. For comparison: The old dormitory only provided space for 50 students. The project costs of approx. 30 million euros will be financed by the MWFK as a grant or loan.
What is the schedule?
The building has been vacated by the residents for the winter semester 2020/21. All tenants have been offered a place in one of the other dormitories of the Studentenwerk. In addition, all furniture in good condition was given to other housing complexes (e.g. Kaiser-Friedrich-Straße in Potsdam, Schillerallee in Wildau). The University of Potsdam moved out of the previously used premises in October/November 2020.
Demolition of the old buildings is to begin at the start of 2021. This should be completed by the middle of 2021. According to the current planning status, a date for the completion of the new building cannot yet be given.
What will the new building look like?
We are currently still in the planning phase and cannot provide any information.
Who owns the property?
The land was given into the hands of the Studentenwerk by the state of Brandenburg within the framework of a heritable building right contract.
The former house 3 - a new building is being constructed on the site.
View of house 3: A new dormitory will soon be built at this location.
Why is the Studentenwerk constructing a new building at the site? Why can't the existing building be renovated?
The project was preceded by both an extensive feasibility study and a variant investigation. The purpose of this study was to discuss the extent to which the existing building (Haus 3) could continue to be used and thus preserve the historic ensemble of buildings on the campus. It turned out that a renovation of Haus 3, including a new building behind the existing building, would have created only about half of the possible dormitory spaces. Further investigation followed and confirmed the finding. Among other things, an increase in the height of the existing Haus 3 was examined. The result suggested that both the subsoil and the structural conditions would not have allowed an effective addition of 2 to 3 stories. The building is not a listed building.
Are nature and climate protection aspects also taken into account?
As with all of our construction projects, we take numerous nature conservation and climate protection aspects into account from the planning stage through tendering to implementation. The project is being planned and implemented in coordination with the lower nature conservation authority of the state capital Potsdam.
In the case of the property currently being built on, only the northern part of the site will be built on per se, as there is a great deal of tree population worthy of protection in the southern area. The old tree population will thus be predominantly preserved. Compensatory measures will be initiated in the usual manner for felled trees.
In addition, a species protection expert has been commissioned to conduct an ornithological survey. Based on this, the breeding periods of birds can be better coordinated with the respective construction phases. No protected animals were found in the old building during a site inspection.
The demolition of the building is planned to be as resource-conserving as possible. The basis for the planning of the demolition is provided by legal regulations and, in addition, technical rules and guidelines, which are intended to ensure that during the demolition of buildings the materials, in particular the mineral demolition waste, are recycled to a high standard and, if this is not possible, are disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner.
Status: 19.02.2021
If you happen to be on campus Golm regularly, you may have noticed the excavator doing ist work: Since mid-February, we are in the process of deconstructing Haus 3. The building has been stripped to its core, well-preserved furniture has found a new home in other residential halls and the windows of Haus 3 will even live on as a greenhouse on campus! To ensure that trees and shrubs on the site are not damaged, we take various protective measures. Initially - until it is more precisely defined where the new building will be located - the longitudinal basement walls will remain in place to protect the tree roots. We are planning to cut as few trees as possible and are optimistic to maintain a 50-year-old copper beech on site, which later will be integrated into the future building ensemble. In the run-up to deconstruction, we made sure that animals would not be affected during their breeding and nesting periods. The deconstruction is scheduled tob e completed by the middle of this year.
A place full of memories: How many seminar papers have been written here?
Status: 09.06.2021
The deconstruction of Haus 3 began in mid-February and was completed at the end of March. The deconstruction went smoothly and was completed earlier than originally planned.
Anyone currently walking past the grounds of former Haus 3 may be surprised to see the remaining walls of the basement. Until further notice, these walls are to protect the deep-lying roots of the trees located on the property. A decision on how to proceed with the affected trees will be made after the building application has been drawn. Tree felling, if necessary, should not take place until then. To respect bird nesting periods, we installed nesting boxes at Haus 7 (another student housing complex on campus) as a replacement for the former nesting places of Haus 3.
In the meantime, the complex tendering procedure has also come to an end. An experienced planning and architectural firm was won for the project in a Europe-wide tender. During the tendering procedure, the participating offices had to submit proposals, among other things, on how trees can be preserved on the site by means of an intelligent building structure design. The aim is to plan the building project with comprehensive consideration of nature and environmental aspects and to exhaust various possibilities for the preservation of trees.
The commissioned planner’s aim is to develop the greatest possible space potential on the site and to make the best possible use of the available area, taking into account the respective building and development plans of the town. A decision on the number of stories also yet has to be made.
We expect to submit an application for a building permit before the end of the year.
This is a challenging undertaking for everyone involved, always with the vision of building more affordable housing for students in mind. And yet: good things take time. The completion of the new housing complex is not expected until the winter semester of 2024/25 at the earliest.
We will keep you updated!
Almost leveled to the ground: The basement walls of the former Haus 3 are still standing so as not to damage the roots of the surrounding trees.
11.05.2023
After an intense 1.5-year planning and approval phase, construction on Campus Golm is finally living up to its name again. But what’s actually been going on behind the scenes all this time?
Although Building 3 was successfully demolished in early 2021 and the construction equipment was ready to go, numerous requirements had to be met before the building permit could be issued. Spoiler: We met them all, and the permit was officially granted at the end of March. But the road to that point was anything but easy.
Parts of the approximately 5,000 m² site required a forest reclassification. Back in 2017, we consulted the nature conservation authority regarding the site status, and at the time, it was not considered forest land. However, during the building permit process, the forestry authority became involved, and parts of the area were then declared as forest. To allow any construction at all, a formal forest reclassification was required.
Such a reclassification can be approved if the new land use—in this case, a student residence with 420 spaces—is deemed more beneficial to the public good than preserving the original forest. As part of this process, the Studentenwerk committed to compensatory measures elsewhere. These were implemented together with the Brandenburg Land Agency for Compensatory Measures.
Because there were no suitable plots of nearly 20,000 m² available in or around Potsdam, alternatives were selected: afforestation in Schönwalde and ecological forest conversion in Mahlsdorf.
Even though five trees will be replanted for every one removed, we’re well aware that a tree that's grown for a hundred years cannot be replaced in any proportional way. Therefore, the Studentenwerk has decided to preserve the majority of the reclassified forest area in its current state.
There will be no paved paths or built structures in this area in the future, and the natural character of the forest will remain intact. The buildings were also designed and positioned to preserve the large beech tree at the center of the plot, which will become a central feature of the new housing complex.
Despite our careful planning, some trees at the plot’s edges must be removed. However, trees will only be cut where new buildings are to be constructed directly. A recently approved exemption for tree removal in spring was evaluated by a wildlife conservation expert and deemed feasible.
With the building permit finally secured at the end of March, the site can now go into full operation without another six-month delay. The new student residence represents a sustainable solution regarding land sealing and space usage. The project increases density on an already developed site (former military barracks on campus), thereby avoiding the use of undeveloped land.
Further planning revealed that instead of the initially planned 350 spots, the site could accommodate 420 student housing units. Funding from the state was adjusted accordingly. The investment contract with the Investment Bank of the State of Brandenburg (ILB) now totals €36.8 million, consisting of 50% grants and 50% loans.
While the building application was under review by the building authority from March 2022 to March 2023, the planning process continued in parallel and has now reached an advanced stage. The first construction works (e.g., earthworks) have already been tendered and commissioned. Additional tenders are in preparation and will soon be published across the EU. Construction is scheduled to begin in early summer 2023.
One thing is already certain: the new student residence will feature six large common rooms, each around 50 m². To ensure these spaces meet the needs of the future residents, a discussion was held in early March 2023 between dormitory tutors and the Studentenwerk’s construction team.
The campus already offers amenities like fitness rooms and study spaces in the library. The new common rooms are intended to complement these facilities and serve as spaces for studying and group projects, relaxation, recreational activities, and—most importantly—building community among tenants.
Planned rooms include:
17.05.2023
Following some short-notice tree-cutting activities on May 8, which prompted student protests, a constructive on-site discussion took place on May 12. Present were Peter Heiß, Managing Director of the Studentenwerk, project manager Anett Wallasch, around 15 students, and members of the university community. The Studentenwerk provided insight into the student housing plans and explained the basis for the tree removals, along with the efforts made beforehand to preserve the woodland area as much as possible.
In this post, we address several questions we have recently received.
Of the 80 registered trees on the forested property, 40 had to be felled. The majority were black locust (24 trees), along with 17 oaks and 3 beeches—including 6 diseased trees that could not have been preserved.
During the on-site meeting, there was concern about a faded marking on an oak tree, with fears it would be removed. This could not be confirmed. In addition to markings, tree-cutting crews always receive up-to-date felling plans and instructions to prevent mistakes.
The building permit was delayed into spring, meaning the originally planned winter felling (before the end of February) couldn't take place. Because this project is categorized as a public service construction and we want to make the 420 student housing spots available as early as possible in a tight housing market, a legal exemption for felling during the vegetation period was granted.
One condition for this was environmental monitoring by a certified species protection expert, who supervised the work before and during tree removal. Special attention was paid to bird nesting sites, bat roosts, and protected beetle species. A currently unoccupied bat box was relocated to a nearby tree. One dead oak showed signs of rare longhorn beetles and will remain standing for now. If it is eventually felled (only with a species protection permit after beetle emergence), the trunk will stay on site to allow future beetle generations to repopulate. This step will also be overseen by a species protection expert.
Yes, deer regularly cross the property, and the construction will reduce their range. A corridor at the back of the site near the Havellandkaserne could be made more deer-friendly. Initial suggestions were shared at the meeting, and the Studentenwerk will consult experts when designing the outdoor areas to incorporate appropriate solutions.
The top priority was to remove only trees directly in the construction zone. All other trees will remain. Secondary structures such as bike racks, paved paths, or outdoor fitness equipment were excluded from the plans from the start. For example, bike storage will be integrated into the basement and ground floor to protect the forest area.
Dead trees required to be felled for safety reasons will be left as shortened habitat trees—essentially natural insect hotels. Smaller branches may be used to create deadwood hedges. We are relying in part on student support and input for these efforts.
The tree-cutting company is currently in talks with a firm that aims to repurpose the wood in a meaningful way not as firewood.
There is a general shortage of suitable building land in Potsdam. The Studentenwerk has no other land available in Golm and is therefore dependent on developing this particular site to create urgently needed affordable student housing.
With tree removal completed, the next step is demolishing the remaining basement of former Building 3. After that, a power line running across the site will be rerouted by Netzgesellschaft Potsdam.
Once the site is fully cleared, earthworks can begin. The exact start date is not yet known, but work will not begin before July. A rough timeline will be shared in due course.
That said, due to the scale of the project, it’s not possible to provide day-by-day or even week-by-week updates on specific construction activities such as noisy work. Many tasks depend on approvals from various authorities, which are often unpredictable in terms of timing (as seen with the tree felling). In addition, due to material supply issues, construction companies frequently have to reschedule work and may not always be available on the planned dates.
We’ll be providing regular updates via this blog and through the channels of the University of Potsdam.
For unanswered questions, feel free to reach out via email: bauen[at]stwwb.de
12.12.2023
A construction site is noisy, constantly changing—and yes, it can be a nuisance for those studying and working nearby. So first things first: a big thank you to everyone who puts up with the daily noise and heavy equipment on site!
To stay on schedule, two construction phases are currently underway at the same time: earthworks and the structural work. For this, the fenced construction area had to be significantly expanded. This also means: simplified site logistics with heightened safety measures—and, looking ahead, better protection for the adjacent flower strip (“Bunte Wiese”). This decision was made in coordination with the university's construction department and the designated safety officer.
Despite all safety precautions, we urge everyone on campus to remain alert. Construction companies have been instructed to proceed carefully, including reducing the speed of construction vehicles. But a mindful eye from everyone is still essential.
The isolated location of the construction site made it difficult to find a suitable route for heavy vehicles. Due to height differences on the rear part of campus, the only viable route was alongside the cafeteria and Building 5. Public road access is also restricted due to specific regulations, so the entrance must go through the university campus and cannot run along the edge.
Signs and barriers have been placed at key points to indicate where pedestrians and construction vehicles share space and to guide pedestrian flows safely.
Archaeological excavations on the site were completed over the summer. Despite being located in a suspected archaeological zone (“Slavic Medieval Settlement”—yes, quite a mouthful), no finds were made. In short: there were no archaeological reasons to delay the excavation work.
After re-tendering the earthworks, the first phase began in mid-September and was completed by the end of November. The structural work began in parallel with the foundation slab and basement construction. In mid-December, two cranes will be delivered and assembled—no small feat.
Once all basement walls are in place, the steel and wooden retaining walls will be removed and the surrounding space filled in with soil. The shell construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of November 2024. Starting spring 2024, other trades will join the site, windows and doors will be installed, and the building will gradually take shape.
And because nothing is ever simple:
A high-voltage power line had to be relocated by the Potsdam Utility Network (NGP), and the student services organization coordinated with the university to reroute drinking and firefighting water lines. EWP also moved a gas pipeline. All of this required complex technical planning and execution, especially since the exact location of older lines (some dating back to GDR times) was poorly documented. Unfortunately, part of the “Bunte Wiese” was affected during these relocations, as there was no other option for maneuvering and parking construction vehicles while keeping the route around the meadow clear.
The good news: as part of an upcoming rainwater pipe installation by the student services organization, being laid across campus, there’s an opportunity, thanks to coordination with the Brandenburg State Property and Construction Office (BLB), to prepare infrastructure for future campus projects as well.
The question of how to handle the movement of deer previously living on the site was thoroughly discussed. An initial plan to create a special corridor for wildlife had to be abandoned due to lack of space. Neither planners nor contractors could find a way to adapt construction logistics accordingly, given how tight the site already is. As a result, the entire construction area has been fenced off to keep wildlife away from the hazards of the site.
Further consultation was provided by the official city huntress, who visited the area and approved the proposed measures. The former wildlife corridor will be preserved and, once construction is complete, will include intentionally designed niches for deer and other animals.
17.4.2024
Progress on the construction site is unstoppable! The shell of the building is increasingly taking shape: walls as well as openings for windows and doors on the ground floor are now clearly visible. Before long, the upper floors will also begin to take form. The future look of the student residence is becoming more and more apparent – what a joy to see!
On April 15, 2024, the Studentenwerk celebrated the official groundbreaking for the new housing complex. As part of the ceremony, a time capsule was filled and placed into the foundation stone.
You can find all relevant information about the cornerstone ceremony for the new student residence on the Potsdam-Golm campus here.
19.06.2025
One year after the ceremonial groundbreaking, the topping-out ceremony for the new student residence "Golm 2" was celebrated on April 15, 2025. What began back then with a time capsule embedded in the foundation has now become a visible result of dedicated collaboration.
With a topping-out wreath, sunshine, and guests from politics, academia, and the construction department of the Studierendenwerk, the event marked another important milestone on the path to creating 423 modern and affordable student housing units right on campus.
The construction project was praised as pioneering and socially relevant, especially in light of the current challenges in the housing market in Potsdam and the surrounding region, which are making it increasingly difficult for students to find affordable accommodation.
Following the ceremonial topping-out speech, a guided tour led through a sample apartment. It quickly became clear: this is about more than just a roof over one’s head. Spacious common areas, accessible entrances, and energy-efficient design concepts are turning the residence into a vibrant place for student life, learning, and community.
For more highlights, quotes, and images from the event, click here to read the full news article.
