BAUER Spezialtiefbau Lays the Foundation for the New Heinrich Schliemann Grammar School in Fuerth

• Excavation pit, foundation, dewatering, and geothermal systems completed for a new school building
• Close coordination of specialist foundation engineering work, earthworks, geothermal work, and archaeological investigations
• A total of 475 piles, 58 anchors, 129 geothermal probes, and five wells installed
• Specialist foundation engineering work completed on schedule after approximately 15 months

Fuerth, Germany – The new Heinrich Schliemann Grammar School will provide the city of Fuerth with space for approximately 1,050 students. A joint venture comprising BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH, BAUER Resources GmbH, and Erdbau M. Reithelshöfer GmbH was responsible for constructing the excavation pit and the building foundation, as well as carrying out the dewatering and geothermal work. After approximately 15 months, the specialist foundation engineering work was completed on schedule in spring 2026.

Coordinating the many parties involved and the activities taking place simultaneously within the confined jobsite proved particularly demanding. Specialist foundation engineering, earthworks, geothermal work, and archaeological investigations had to be closely coordinated within the joint venture. “The greatest challenge was coordinating the numerous trades in such a way that the schedule could be maintained despite archaeological discoveries and changing ground conditions,” explains Maximilian Mueller, Project Manager at BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH.

Extensive Specialist Foundation Engineering Work

BAUER Spezialtiefbau’s scope of work included the construction of a temporary anchored bored pile wall, foundation work, well drilling, and associated dewatering. 331 piles with diameters of 880 mm were drilled for the excavation pit, and 58 anchors with lengths of up to 30 m were installed. BAUER also constructed 143 foundation piles with diameters ranging from 750 to 1,180 mm, as well as five wells. The equipment used included BAUER BG 30 and BG 39 rotary drilling rigs and a KLEMM KR 806.

Geothermal System and Water Treatment Complement the Foundation Work

In addition to the specialist foundation engineering work, experts from BAUER Resources GmbH constructed the geothermal system that will supply heat to the future school building. A total of 129 geothermal probes were installed at depths ranging from 46 to 60 m, including 48 outside and 81 beneath the building. Approximately 4.2 km of lines will link the probes to the building’s mechanical systems. With a planned heating capacity of 316 kW, the geothermal system will make an important contribution to the energy-efficient and sustainable operation of the new school.

BAUER Resources also supported the project with a temporary water treatment system. The system treats the water generated during excavation pit dewatering and has been in operation since May 2025. With a standard operating capacity of approximately 5 to 10 m³ per hour, it helps ensure safe and reliable jobsite operations.

The specialist foundation engineering work began in December 2024 and was completed in March 2026. Dewatering is expected to continue until September 2027. By the time the school is scheduled to open in September 2028, modern learning spaces will have been created on the site – and their foundation is already in place, together with a geothermal system that will contribute to the building’s energy-efficient operation.