New town centers, attic ceilings and asphalt innovations: Bauforum.Profile ceremoniously opened
From the energy-efficient renovation of their own parents’ house, a concept for a lively town center to the addition of an attic ceiling – the construction graduates traditionally present their final theses at the Bauforum.Profile. The exhibition shows a variety of solutions for current challenges in the construction industry and ideas for the future. The exhibition was officially opened on January 22, 2026 and the academic success of 100 construction graduates was celebrated. She can still until January 30th in the building forum of the Lübeck University of Technology (TH). Entry is free.
Appreciation and outlook for a new course of study
President Muriel Helbig opens the event and emphasizes: What is achieved here after graduation is unique.
Dean of Construction Sebastian Fiedler brings some good news: After much preparatory work, the new master’s degree program in Sustainable Building Technology is expected to start in 2027. But that is still a thing of the future, this evening should belong entirely to the graduates: Today we want to celebrate that you have successfully completed your studies!
And Jan Christian Janßen, General Manager of the Schleswig-Holstein Construction Industry Association and the Bau-Nord Business Association, also recognizes the achievements of the graduates and promises: Rest assured, the construction industry has your back.
He particularly emphasizes the possibilities for starting and taking over companies.
Awards for special achievements in road and bridge construction
As part of the celebratory event, the awards from the Association of Road Construction and Traffic Engineers Schleswig-Holstein were presented. The award was given to final theses that made innovative contributions to road and bridge construction topics. The prerequisite is that the graduate must either live in Schleswig-Holstein or study at a university in the state.
The winners of the class of 2025 are:
- 1st prize: Annabel Grust with the work investigating possible applications of non-metallic reinforcement for CO2 reduction in infrastructure structures (HAW Kiel), endowed with 500 euros
- 2nd prize: Tobias Mertens for his thesis on aging resistance of bitumen-additive mixtures for viscosity-modified asphalts (TH Lübeck), endowed with 300 euros
- 3rd prize: Noreen Hamer for her work design of a permanent replacement for an existing foot and cycle path bridge over the Mettenhof feeder road in Kiel with special consideration of minimal CO2 emissions (HAW Kiel), endowed with 200 euros
The prizes were presented by Peter Bender, chairman of the Association of Road Construction and Traffic Engineers Schleswig-Holstein. This award recognizes the commitment of young graduates to sustainable, safe and modern transport infrastructure. The award-winning works exemplify how the know-how of graduates contributes to driving progress in the field of road and bridge construction and providing new impetus for the region.
Anecdotes from my studies
A highlight of every graduate event is when the graduates themselves are given the floor: Throughout my campus life, I was able to marvel at the interesting projects that each construction student created in the first few weeks. Layered clay pillars with weather patterns, creative insect hotels and my ‘If I could compact week again’ favorite, the pizza ovens with subsequent baking test and tasting…
says Lea Kröpelin, a newly qualified civil engineer, about the initial phase of her studies. In addition to the insights into the studies, there were entertaining anecdotes, a lot of praise for the local kiosk operator and a bit of Low German poetry. You can Read Lea Kröpelin’s full speech online.
Versatile and practice-oriented projects
Urban planning with foresight: development concepts for a lively town center
Levi Richter studied urban planning as a bachelor at the TH Lübeck. In his bachelor’s thesis he dealt intensively with the core location of the Municipality of Stockelsdorf employed and designed a development concept. A particular challenge was to make the densely built-up place attractive despite the growing young population and high supply function. Levi Richter’s solution approach relies on transforming the central square into a lively meeting place as well as balanced traffic planning that does justice to both residents and visitors.
Between history and future: A village comes to life
Lea-Marie Krause dealt with coexistence in the village. The graduate of the bachelor’s degree in architecture dedicated her thesis to a very special place: the village of Groß Grönau, which borders directly on Lübeck. Your concept Between Salzstrasse and Dorfstrasse shows how old village structures can be strengthened through new housing options for single-person households and a revitalized community space. The focus is on how important meeting points are for living together – and how individual solutions can enrich village and city life.
Energy-saving renovation for your own parents’ house
Jannik Siemons, a graduate of sustainable building technology, took a closer look at his own parents’ house. He examined how a terraced house built in 1969 could be renovated in an energy and economically sensible way. His goal: to find measures that both save energy and are financially advantageous. I wanted my thesis to provide added value for my family
says the graduate, who was also able to obtain an energy consultant certificate as part of his studies.
Rethink attics – cleverly expand living space
Viktor Baustian’s bachelor’s project, studying civil engineering, shows how existing buildings in cities can meaningfully offer more living space. Using the example of an apartment building from the 1950s, he examines how targeted reinforcement measures, for example with glued-on CFRP slats, make roof ceilings fit for new uses. This creates new perspectives for sustainable urban development and better use of existing resources.