The public art project on the campus of Trier University alludes to the biogeographic research conducted in the newly added building. In particular it refers to niche modelling (Nischenmodelle), i.e. the virtual transfer of single components of a habitat. Formally, the project is a one-to-one model re-edition of an adjacent 1970s piece of landscape design. That existing, gardenesque ensemble consists of a meandering granite seat, coloured ground inlays, a grass mound with rocks, pine trees and spherical lamps. By quoting this garden (as a graspable ‘essence’ of the original, modernist design concept), the new project aims at revalidating the qualities of the overall campus. Through the extended, personal dedication of the head of the building department, the campus over a long processual development has taken its spatial quality from a background in the landscape and architecture icon of the 1972 Olympia stadium and park in Munich. Built in all white concrete, the new ensemble underlines the model character of the campus space and reconnects its design vocabulary. Simultaneously, the concise new public space aims at actively reviving the appreciation for the campus’ concept.
