Humanities and Computer Science Under One Roof

As a research building, the Centre for Philology and Digitality (ZPD) at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) aims to reconstitute philology in the age of digitalisation and globalisation. The centre combines the humanities, digital humanities and computer science.

The ZPD is intended to create an international space for reflection and collaboration that brings together philological methods with computer science procedures and the indexing and analysis techniques of the digital humanities.

Here, for example, cuneiform scripts on clay tablets - the oldest text documents in the world at over five thousand years old - are read using machine recognition processes, transferred and finally presented in original and translation.

In addition to texts, the ZPD also works with other cultural data, such as audio recordings of pieces of music. With the help of specially developed algorithms, these are analysed with regard to criteria relevant to musicology.

The centre aims to promote reflection and exchange between academic disciplines not only through spatial integration, but also by systematically offering methods and formats. The work is structured into three main areas of research, which are based on the central working steps of philology - editing, analysing and recognising. In all fields, research focusses on the challenges and potentials that digital work opens up.

In accordance with the integrative approach of the ZPD, the centre is managed by a collegial board of directors. It is headed by musicologist Professor Ulrich Konrad.

Ceremonial Inauguration

The ZPD was officially opened on Thursday, 26 October 2023. The welcoming address by University President Paul Pauli was followed by the ecumenical blessing of the building by Rabbi Shlomo Zelig Avrasin, the Evangelical-Lutheran Dean Dr Wenrich Slenczka, Canon Dr Helmut Gabel and Imam Zahir Durakovic.

This was followed by speeches from Dr Rolf-Dieter Jungk, Head of the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts, as well as words of welcome from Christian Schuchardt, Lord Mayor of the City of Würzburg, Christof Teige, Auer Weber Architekten Stuttgart, Dr Michael Fuchs, Head of the Würzburg State Building Authority, and Professor Ulrich Konrad, Chairman of the ZPD.

Another Building Block on the Hubland North Campus

The ZPD was completed at the end of 2022 on the Hubland North Campus. The costs of around 17.7 million euros for the new 2,600 square metre building are split between the Free State of Bavaria (10.6 million) and the federal government (7.1 million). Remarkable: Despite the coronavirus and Ukraine crisis, the construction project was realised within the planned time and financial framework.

This means that another building block of the framework plan on the Hubland North Campus site has been realised. After the Campus Bridge, the Mensateria and the Graduate School of Life Sciences, the new building sets a further structural accent on the "Green Belt". At the same time, the three-storey building with its striking appearance is the first building block on the humanities construction site.

Following an architectural competition in 2018, the Würzburg State Building Authority commissioned the first prize winner, Auer Weber Architekten from Stuttgart, to design the new building.

The rectangular structure with its vertically structured façade is characterised by a regular interplay of floor-to-ceiling, transparent glass elements and closed prefabricated white concrete elements. The precast concrete elements reflect the areas of philology and digitality by means of embossed patterns consisting of two translated binary codes.

Interdisciplinary and Sustainable

The floor plan was optimised to meet the requirements and needs of interdisciplinary research use. The desired interdisciplinarity is particularly noticeable in the interior.

The atrium connects the different functions across all floors. The seminar rooms and the central digitalisation area are located on the ground floor. On the upper floors, cellular offices alternate as places of retreat and open-space work areas. The library, reading courtyard and the open communication and lounge areas act as connecting and interdisciplinary elements.

The issue of sustainability was also taken into account during construction. In order to fulfil the requirements for needs-based and energy-efficient lighting in the project, LEDs were used consistently.

In addition, the use of highly efficient heat recovery systems and state-of-the-art technology for cooling reduces the primary energy required for the building to a necessary minimum. A photovoltaic system is also installed on the extensively greened roof.

The outdoor facilities form an independent component of the urban development. The concept developed for this integrates both the ZPD and future buildings on the humanities construction site and connects seamlessly to the surrounding green spaces of the Green Belt and Blue Belt. Green transition zones to the buildings consist of near-natural, tree-covered meadow areas, native shrubs and partially paved areas, for example for bicycle parking spaces.

The Green Belt will also be home to another "art in architecture" installation in the future. The jury selected the spiral-shaped Corten steel strip by artist Daniel Widrig for realisation from nine applications. The filigree sculpture was particularly convincing due to its dynamic and powerful effect, the exciting contrast to the geometric façade and its timelessness. The artwork will be erected opposite the main entrance to the ZPD and should be completed by the third quarter of 2024.

Comments on the Inauguration

Professor Paul Pauli, President of JMU: "The ZPD is the first new research building on the Hubland North Campus. The fact that it is dedicated to the humanities emphasises the special esteem in which our alma mater holds them. The ZPD will strengthen the Würzburg humanities in their entirety and further advance their national and international orientation."

Rolf-Dieter Jungk, Head of the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts: "The JMU is a beacon of science and research in Bavaria. Based on a foundation of tradition, there is a clear strategic focus on the future - this also applies to university construction. The ZPD stands for the great potential in the fields of humanities and computer science, especially in their intersection."

Christian Schuchardt, Lord Mayor of Würzburg: "It is a particularly beautiful picture to see the great monotheistic religions united here today. The Hubland neighbourhood is a source of inspiration for the city and the region. The ZPD builds a bridge between historical content and modern cutting-edge technology. It stands for an enhancement of the humanities and makes them more accessible."

Architect Christof Teige: "Today is a special day for the JMU and the ZPD, but also for everyone involved in the construction. Our aim was to create a space for encounters and communication. In my opinion, we have succeeded very well."

Michael Fuchs, Head of the Würzburg State Building Authority: "For us at the State Building Authority, an inauguration like this is always something special. Thanks to a good construction process and good execution, a further defining accent has been set on the Hubland North Campus."

Professor Ulrich Konrad, Director of the ZPD: "The special challenge of the Centre for Philology and Digitality lies in the word 'and'; in the combination of two worlds with different academic cultures. This is exactly what is made possible here."

Professor Dag Nikolaus Hasse, new director of the ZPD: "I wish us all academic fire and good research in this building. Good research is always something social and I think that is wonderfully possible here."

A video about the new building can be seen here.