Crowdfunding campaign for ESA dormitory launched

ESA crowdfunding video from 12.09.2020

The popular ESA dormitory on the campus of the TU Kaiserslautern (TUK) is in great need of renovation. The foundation's renovation concept for TUK envisions the former experimental building becoming a CO2-neutral building. The estimated costs for the work have not yet been fully raised. Therefore, the ESA residents are participating with a crowdfunding campaign, which has been available on the Startnext platform since September 13.

"We are all grateful that we can continue to live in the ESA and contribute to the building's continued existence. There is a unique atmosphere here," says resident Marcel Meyer. At the end of May, the dormitory was finally handed over to its new owner, the TUK Foundation. Now the renovation work, worth a total of two million euros, is to get underway quickly. The remaining cost share of 700,000 euros is currently being raised by the foundation through fundraising. The ESA housing association's crowdfunding campaign is intended to generate further publicity and finance a modern solar system and insulation for the listed building.

On the campaign website at www.startnext.com/ein-haus-im-gruenen a pitch video and further information are available. "So that potential supporters can learn even more about us and life in the dormitory, we are also posting self-made video clips and a virtual tour of the building on the ESA website and on Facebook," explains Meyer.

Renovated all around, the dormitory will act as a gateway between the university campus and the Palatinate Forest in the future. "TU Kaiserslautern is proud to present such a unique building on its campus. With the energy-saving architecture, the builders have created a dormitory that has not lost its relevance today after 35 years. This is one reason why it was the first building on our campus to be listed at the end of last year," says Prof. Dr. Arnd Poetzsch-Heffter, President of TUK.

Annette Mechel, board member of the foundation, adds: "As the new owner of the dormitory, the TUK Foundation is pleased to be able to accompany this exciting project. The commitment and willingness of the residents to cooperate are helping us enormously to implement the not so easy renovation.

The crowdfunding campaign is expected to be available on Startnext for three months. The TUK Foundation and the ESA housing community are happy about every small donation that contributes to the preservation of the unique building. On the campaign website, supporters can receive a thank-you gift in return and request a donation receipt.

Further information is available at: esa.dormitory.uni-kl.de. On Facebook, the page of the ESA dormitory can be found under "@esakaiserslautern".

The TU Kaiserslautern is the only university in Rhineland-Palatinate with a technical and scientific orientation. Future-oriented study programs, practical training and a modern infrastructure are the framework conditions that students find at the campus university. The TU Kaiserslautern was awarded the Excellence Prize for Studies and Teaching in the nationwide competition "Excellent Teaching". With this award, the TU demonstrates the high value of its study programs. In addition, students and scientists benefit from the numerous internationally renowned research institutions that cooperate closely with the TU Kaiserslautern in the field of applied research.

Source: Press release of TU Kaiserslautern from 9.9.2020