A glimpse behind the construction fence
Visiting the “Container Castle“
One question repeatedly reaches the Nahtlos editorial team: What actually happens in the construction containers on the campus construction site? And who works here? To find out, we visit the containers early one morning.
Foreman Sven Schneider from the general contractor Züblin greets us in his office, located just to the right after the entrance.
He takes us inside the container complex – a long corridor connects all the rooms. Here are all the essential functional spaces for the daily operations of a construction site office: kitchen, offices, restrooms, and a large conference room. Drinks are on the tables, modern screens are mounted on the wall, and wall-sized construction plans are also displayed. Although the sun beats down on the containers, it's pleasantly cool.
Here we meet site manager Stefanie Buttler, foreman Dirk Seidemann, and the first site manager, Christian Wolf, who emphasizes: "Many visitors are surprised when they come in. Compared to other construction sites, we are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. It's important that we can work efficiently here so that we finish on time."
The Züblin employees take their time and explain their tasks to us. Sven Schneider and Dirk Seidemann, two experienced foremen, work on the major Bauerfeind construction site. Both have already been involved in major projects for chip manufacturers ESMC and Infineon in Dresden. As an interface between the construction site and construction management, they ensure that personnel and materials are in the right place at the right time - and that the quality is right.
The two emphasize that the number of different trades is still relatively manageable. This is because, so far, a lot of earth has been moved, before the buildings can begin their shell construction phase in mid-September. From then on, more trades will also be on-site. That is also why the container castle is called that, as a second floor will be needed to accommodate all the subcontractors. Some of them move into the small rooms during the day. The negotiation talks, which are mostly conducted with colleagues from Bauerfeind, take place in the conference room where we are currently sitting. Subcontractors for roof waterproofing, facades, metal cladding, window frames, and so on come here.
From the tender through to the negotiation and the award, construction manager Stefanie Buttler accompanies the processes for the new Community Center. Two other construction managers are responsible for the Innovation Center as well as production halls 5 and 6. They keep an eye on deadlines, costs, and permits and coordinate closely with the foremen and the lead construction manager, Christian Wolf. He is the one pulling the strings: the individual construction phases must interlock like puzzle pieces—both in terms of timing and finances.
Currently, eleven employees from Züblin and Strabag are working in the container castle. As the general contractor, Züblin is responsible for the overall project, while Strabag handles the civil engineering work. During the peak phase, 16 to 20 people will be working here.
When asked what their favorite place in the container castle is, Stefanie Buttler gives the most spontaneous answer: "my desk." Christian Wolf says: "For me, it's actually either in the meeting room or with other colleagues, so in the collaboration." He looks toward Dirk Seidemann and Sven Schneider: "Do you guys even have a favorite place in here?" "No, no," says Sven, "I prefer being outside." Dirk Seidemann confirms: "Participating. Being part of it." The two prefer being outside rather than in front of a "square screen."
That is why we are now heading outside to take a group photo: We meet Jens Bärthel, who, as senior construction manager and overall project manager for the campus expansion, has already supervised several large-scale construction sites and bears overall responsibility for the construction site.
They all have one thing in common: they are looking forward to September and October with anticipation. Because that is when, as Christian Wolf casually puts it, something will first "go up" near the container castle. That is when the shell construction of the buildings for Hall 5, Hall 6, and the new innovation center will be visible on the campus – and the container castle will be filled with even more life.