Construction work on the new Martin Behaim Gymnasium building has reached an important milestone: with the installation of the first wooden components on the ground floor of the school building, the visible construction of the new building structure has begun. The plan is to create a modern school campus for around 1,500 students and approximately 150 teachers. WBG KOMMUNAL GmbH is implementing the project on behalf of the City of Nuremberg as part of a public-public partnership.
The original schedule had to be reassessed due to deficiencies and delays in the structural planning and construction preparation. After a year of intensive replanning, the planning for the timber construction and the building envelope is now so far advanced that structural construction can begin. The shell construction work has been completed. Production of the wooden columns and beams for the upper floors is already underway, so that assembly can take place step by step. Following the insolvency of the specialist planning office commissioned for heating, ventilation, and sanitation, and as a result of a new tendering process, the technical trades can be put out to tender before the end of this year in order to restore planning security in this area as well. At the same time, the plans for the sports halls are also being revised; for example, new truss girders have been planned.
City treasurer Thorsten Brehm presents the development of the project against the backdrop of developments in recent years: "The conditions in the construction industry have been exceptionally challenging recently. This has also been reflected in rising prices. In addition, there were problems with contractors, which had a massive impact on the construction process. This made it all the more important for the city and WBG KOMMUNAL to take joint responsibility and take the right steps to stabilize the construction site and move it forward again." The fact that construction is now visibly picking up speed again is an important signal for the further course of the project. In addition, WBG KOMMUNAL is pursuing legal claims arising from the delays.
School spokesperson Cornelia Trinkl emphasizes: “The Martin Behaim Gymnasium is one of our city's major educational infrastructure projects. Delays are regrettable, but it is crucial that we ensure quality and proceed in a structured manner. After all, this is a place of learning that will enable new educational concepts and, at the same time, be built to last.”
“Construction sites don't always run smoothly. That makes it all the more important to work together as a team and make decisions. I would therefore like to thank the entire project team, both internal and external, for their dedicated crisis management, and I am delighted that we have reached an important milestone with the start of timber construction,” explains Ralf Schekira, Managing Director of WBG KOMMUNAL GmbH.
As reported, completion of the school building is planned for 2028. With the timber construction now underway, the new Martin Behaim Gymnasium is increasingly taking shape and will form a modern, sustainable school campus together with the neighboring Neues Gymnasium Nürnberg.
