New learning center for students: UniLounge opens in the main building
28 Nov 2024
Around 100 new study spaces have been created for students in the historic vaults of LMU's main building. An adjoining lounge area is equipped with drinks and snack vending machines.
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) is opening a new, barrier-free learning center with around 100 workstations in the historic vaults of the university's main building on Geschwister-Scholl-Platz. Students will find places for individual and group work as well as "thinker cells" for concentrated work in various zones. A lounge area with seating corners as well as drinks and snack vending machines invites you to discuss.
The establishment of the UniLounge learning center is part of a larger initiative with the aim of providing more students with space to concentrate on their work and to relieve the burden on LMU's libraries, especially during the examination period. "With around 55,000 students, we have once again set a record at LMU this winter semester," says Professor Oliver Jahraus, LMU Vice President for Student Affairs. "It is particularly important to us that the important learning infrastructure for our students also grows with increasing enrolments."
The Unilounge combines modern group workstations with a historic vault in the main LMU building on Geschwister-Scholl-Platz.
With around 55,000 students, we have once again set a record at LMU this winter semester. It is particularly important to us that the important learning infrastructure for our students also grows with increasing enrolments.
Prof. Oliver Jahraus, Vice President for Studies
Lounge and studying: a success for the students
The UniLounge concept is well received by the students. Lukas and Laurin are both studying economics at LMU and are sitting in the lounge area with tablets and learning materials. They say: “We stumbled across the UniLounge by chance. But we really like the location. In contrast to the library, it's more relaxed here because you can have a chat. We'll definitely be coming here more often. But hopefully it won't get too crowded once word gets around about the learning center.”
One door down, law student Georgina is studying in the XY area. She is also enthusiastic. “I think it's great that there are more and more places to study and work.” The more open room system and relaxed atmosphere make the UniLounge a real alternative to studying in the library for her: “It's quiet enough to concentrate on your work, but you can also have something to eat and drink and talk to each other in between.”
The UniLounge was planned in close consultation with the student representatives. “The voice of the students was very important to us so that the modern learning center meets their needs,” explains Jahraus. A learning center opened at Leopoldstraße 13 in April, with more soon to follow in Adalbertstraße and on the Großhadern campus.
As part of the renovation, which took almost one and a half years and was managed by the State Building Authority Munich 2, the UniLounge premises were made barrier-free, converted into an open space concept and equipped with a modern ventilation and lighting concept. The renovation costs of around 2.5 million euros were financed by study grants and the “Bayern barrierefrei” program.