Biology Department returns to renovated historic building after five years

After more than five years operating from various temporary sites, the Biology Department of the Faculty of Science (PMF) in Zagreb is set to return to its fully renovated building on Roosevelt Square at the start of the upcoming academic year in October. The extensive renovation project, valued at nearly 25 million euros, ensures the historic 1898 building meets modern standards for seismic resistance, fire safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility.

"Students should start the new academic year in this building. There is an entire generation of students who have never set foot in our main building," said Zoran Marčić, head of the Biology Department. The project encompassed emergency repairs following earthquakes, detailed design documentation, and a complete building overhaul, with construction lasting from December 2022 to July 2026. The building's usability permit was issued in July of this year, six years after the Zagreb earthquake.

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Students should start the new academic year in this building. There is an entire generation of students who have never set foot in our main building.

The total project cost reached 24.9 million euros, financed by the European Union's Solidarity Fund, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO), and the state budget. Construction alone accounted for nearly 19 million euros. The renovation was conducted in collaboration with conservation services to preserve the original features of the protected historic structure while integrating contemporary requirements. Key structural enhancements included reinforced concrete floor slabs and staircases, steel support structures, and wall reinforcement with carbon fibers to significantly boost the building's resilience against future earthquakes.

Marčić highlighted the return as a significant moment for staff and students after years of working in makeshift spaces. "What we have gained is a modern building with modern infrastructure, which will give us new momentum to be even more successful and better in our scientific and teaching work," he stated. He noted that a major challenge was maintaining continuity in teaching and research while the department operated across multiple locations, including spaces at Kraš, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences. The department, which comprises over 250 staff members and conducts research in botany, physiology, microbiology, molecular biology, and ecology, is now focused on equipping the renovated spaces.

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What we have gained is a modern building with modern infrastructure, which will give us new momentum to be even more successful and better in our scientific and teaching work.