As part of the second phase of construction for the Biomedical Engineering Cluster, a new, highly flexible teaching and training building has been completed on the RWTH Aachen University’s Melaten Campus, comprising a training centre for nursing staff, a midwifery academy and an innovation centre for digital medicine.

The new complex of buildings, which blends seamlessly with the imposing CT² Centre for Teaching and Training that sets the tone for the site, comprises two interconnected structures – a four-storey block approximately 100 metres long and a seven-storey cube situated in front of it.

The horizontally oriented block housing the Education Academy deliberately takes a back seat with its dark façade and the evenly spaced bands of windows running the length of the building. This clearly highlights the silvery, shimmering cube housing the virtual hospital, which appears almost as a standalone structure; its form and materials are inspired by the existing CT² building, and it seems to float above the transparent entrance area.

In addition to classrooms and group rooms, the interior features flexible seating areas – specially designed for the building by sop architekten – with acoustic fabrics, mobile stools and electrified room dividers, which can be used as learning areas or meeting islands. An overarching colour and materials scheme, starting from the underground car park and extending across all floors, ensures intuitive wayfinding and highlights the different departments through contrasting elements.