Universitäre Zwischenräume

The physical form of a campus (= lat. field) finds its architectural formulation in the concept of the ensemble, which describes a spatial-functional interaction of the 'built' and the 'intervening' space. This interaction indicates both the structural-spatial synthesis and the special quality of public and semi-public space in the socio-spatial context.
Consequently, special significance and function can be attributed to the space that forms the basic structural framework of (semi-)public and private space: The university interstitial space.
The interstitial spaces are the connecting elements of the university structure at all scales. They form the 'spatial framework' and at the same time shape the 'social backbone'. They bring about cohesion and separation and are the guarantors of the private and social spheres. Consequently, the interstitial spaces are the crucial links for animating the communal life in the 'university living space'.
As an interface between active and passive patterns of action (action and retreat spaces), the in-between spaces can function - temporally staggered or even simultaneously - as places of communication or contemplation, of teaching or learning, of lingering or observing. In their 'informal' function, the in-between spaces are thus multi-layered and contrary at the same time. It is precisely this functional spectrum that is of great importance for a creative and innovative knowledge society, because "the modern as well as the traditional way of knowledge transfer" is not exhausted on pure information transfer (speaking and listening), but rather on communication (speaking, presenting, listening and seeing). For this reason, the in-between spaces can be considered as "indicators and as promoters of university culture".
The present study focusses on the campus in-between spaces in order to investigate, on a 'small', human scale, the synergy and adaption potentials in the existing environment. In this context, the campus buildings of the former comprehensive universities at the locations in Essen, Paderborn and Wuppertal, often declared in colloquial language as 'functional buildings', move into the focus of the investigation.
For the quantitative determination of the synergy and adaption potentials of the university in-between spaces within the scope of this work a new methodology based on the configuration theory according Hillier and Hanson (The Social Logic of Space, 1984) has been developed, which following a holistic approach provides quantified assesssments for the examined spatial sections and therefore enables comparability between different spaces and locations.
First, by disentangling the individual structural elements, the locational favourability of the spatial sections under investigation was determined in the respective campus locations. Since the direct, perceptible impact and relationship qualities are not included in the spatial syntax analysis (by Hillier and Hanson), the abstract, configurative parameters of the campus structures (spatial syntax) were supplemented by the concrete parameters of the spatial sections (shape, function and connection) in the second step of the analysis.
Subsequently, the adaptation potentials were illuminated. For this purpose, selected spatial sections for each location are examined in detail for their optimisation potential. The parameters shape, function and connection are used as a basis for determining the synergy potential. The practical feasibility of these synergy potentials can be derived from the following determination of the adaptation potential through conversion, remodelling and expansion.
Finally, on the basis of the spatial category of the in-between space, recommendations for action for the redevelopment of the studied campuses are pointed out, but also limits to optimisation are explained, which are given by the existing situation.