Doors Open! A New Chapter Begins in House E

It's a Monday morning at the end of September: The foyer of Building E is bustling with activity. The first students are moving in – some into the new Building E, others into the existing Buildings A to D of the International Student Residence at HOK | University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol. Brochures are available in the entrance area, keys are being handed out, and Christin Runewitz and Mathias Ritter are personally welcoming the new arrivals.

For many, it's a special moment: walking through the doors of the new student residence for the first time – and thus into a new chapter of their student life in Kufstein. "I hope that the students settle in good here, arrive quickly, and feel comfortable from the very beginning," says Christin Runewitz, Deputy Head of the International Student Residence.

"CLEAN AND MODERN"

One of the new residents is Flors Garcia. The student comes from Zaragoza and is starting her master's degree program in Smart Products & AI-Driven Development in Kufstein. She came across the residence while searching for accommodation online. Her first impression: "It's very nice. Everything is very clean and the infrastructure is very modern."

Lennart Eichholz is also there on the first day of arrival. He comes from Salzgitter and studies urban and regional management there. He chose Kufstein for his semester abroad . "I've seen Kufstein and I really like mountains," Eichholz explains. He also plans to go skiing here for the first time.

His first impression is correspondingly positive – both of the town and his accommodation. "I arrived in Kufstein at the train station this morning, got off the train, and saw the mountains. That was, of course, very impressive," says Eichholz. He also likes his room: "Everything is new here in my room, incredibly beautiful, and I couldn't have expected anything better." He's particularly taken with the view: "I can look directly at the mountains."

LIVING WITH A CONCEPT

For Flors and Lennart, moving in also marks the beginning of a new daily routine. Both expect their semester in Kufstein to offer not only degree program but also new encounters. Eichholz wants to "have lots of fun, meet new people," and learn about interesting topics he wouldn't have experienced in his degree program back home. This exchange is a key part of the Residence concept.

The new Building E offers ample space: Approximately 4,300 square meters of living space comprise 115 single studios, 17 double studios, and three accessible studios. All studios feature a balcony or loggia. A spacious common area with a terrace provides space for meeting, studying, cooking, and socializing. In total, 152 residential places are available.

The building is also designed for energy-efficient operation in terms of sustainability. The passive house standard reduces energy consumption for heating and cooling, while the controlled ventilation system continuously provides fresh air and recovers a large portion of the heat from the exhaust air. A photovoltaic system also generates some of the required electricity directly on the building.

HOK CONVENIENTLY REACHABLE

The new living situation also includes proximity to the campus: The University is easily accessible from the residence on foot or by bicycle. The building offers dedicated bicycle storage for 152 bikes. The publicly accessible square in front of the residence, facing the fortress, also creates a connection between the residence and the town. Students thus live not only close to the higher education institution or university, but also right in the heart of Kufstein. 

For HOK, the new student residence is therefore more than just additional living space. "With the new student residence, we are creating a modern environment that promotes exchange within an international community. It also provides a place that makes it easier for students to settle in Kufstein," emphasizes Mathias Ritter, Head of the International Student Residence.

September 28th was just the beginning: more students moved in over the following days. For the students, the arrival process has already begun – with a key, a new room, new acquaintances, and many first impressions of Kufstein.

Links:

• International Student Residence | Infrastructure
• 152 New Student Housing Units opened | News