If a floorcovering has been stepped on daily by approx. 20,000 people for more than 25 years, if from the beginning numerous term parties and graduation parties were organised on the floor, then not much "well-preserved sections" can be expected. This is far off the mark because the black rubber floorcovering norament 925 which has been in the central hall of the University of Bielefeld since 1975 has well put away all steps - and even today presents itself in an impressive quality.

When in the spring of 1976 the University of Bielefeld was completed, an impressive scientific major university came into existence. But was it possible to create architectural qualities in such a large enterprise or did the complex demands inevitably lead to a gigantic functional box, to an inhospitable functional building? - Surprisingly, it were five young architects which in 1969 won a nation-wide competition and thus recommended themselves for the construction of the university. After all, an area of approximately 62,000 sqm - more than ten soccer fields - were to be built on to offer a suitable scope for creativity.

The architects subdivided the huge building volume with a glass-roof hall serving as a large communication axis which links the comb-like faculty buildings located above the axis. Thus, the decisive prerequisites for the architects' objective to communicate "a sense of we in humanity and professionalism" were created. The faculty buildings interacted through the hall common to all buildings and thus were no longer interpreted as independent single buildings: The idea of interdisciplinary research did not only get its central space in thinking but also in building. Here, in the generous hall where cafés and shops invite to stay, the paths of more than 20,000 students at the university meet.

Between commerciality and comfortability

Special care had to be taken by the under-30-year-old architects when designing the glass link which serves as large "market street" to connect the individual faculty buildings. In order to define the character of the central hall, initially numerous materials were available. In combination with the walls made of shuttering-raw exposed concrete typical for the 70s, a floorcovering was chosen which mediates between commerciality and comfortability and through which the university appears to be a "workshop". This was the reason for the decision to use the rubber floorcovering norament 925 of Freudenberg Bausysteme KG , because this floorcovering, as the architect Professor Klaus Köpke emphasises "was the only floorcovering meeting all demands and at the same time highlighting the public character of the hall ".

Since the then very popular needle felt floorcovering especially used in the newly constructed comprehensive schools could not convince the architects for this highly-frequented area, there were only a few "alternatives" for the so-called "contact yard". Since norament floorcoverings in addition possess extremely good resistance and durability and meet the high fire protection-technical requirements, there was not much more to be discussed.

Extremely resistent and durable

And the result is still impressive today: The architects chose a floorcovering whose economy and long life are unique. Almost 25 years after installing the floorcovering and experiencing extremely high load due to the industrious routine at the university - in particular because of the numerous term and graduation parties -, the black norament floorcovering shows hardly any wear. Rainer Lesemann, Director of the Department for Building, Property and Tenement Administration, University of Bielefeld, comments: "This floorcovering shows excellent performance, it is indestructible." Even when heavily loaded lift-trucks drive through the hall and announce large student parties, when 10,000 guests with dancing shoes and sneakers, with cigarette butts and chewing-gum, with coke and beer challenge the resistance and durability of the rubber floorcovering, no weak points become obvious.

On the contrary, nora floorcoverings made of rubber do without any additional coating and are thus easily and cost-effective to clean. This is a benefit appreciated in particular by Manfred Heienbrock who is responsible for cleaning the University of Bielefeld: "When cleaning norament, problems only exist if dirt accumulated for a long time. Thus, we are extremely satisfied with this floorcovering."

Although the high quality of the rubber floorcovering did not change during the past three decades, the choice of colours and designs has multiplied. At that time, the planning team had only eight colours to choose from.

Anybody entering the glass hall of the University of Bielefeld today will see that time and students did not leave any traces worth mentioning. The architects succeeded in creating consistently convincing space which forges links in many respects, which relates compact laboratory machines, office space and the large library continuum on the first floor, and which makes an appearance as important place for communication. The subject of flexibility and expandability so important for the 70s, too, was consequently realised in the comb-like band structure of the new building.

Although the aspect of energy saving was already discussed in the early 70s, the building technology lacked far behind: sustainability, durability and long life were no relevant criteria for building at that time - it is thus the more remarkable that the floorcovering norament also lead the way in this respect.

IIn the Café West End, the popular cafeteria of the University, a new floorcovering was installed recently. Thanks to the positive experience it was by far no coincidence that norament was chosen again.