The “Mensa Karlsruhe” is an elastic space, sitting in the centre of the Karlsruhe University Campus. As an extension of the already existing facilities, the canteen serves a growing number of students. The building was set to become the new fulcrum of the campus, negotiating between the identities of three universities as well as between the urban fabric and the Hardtwald forest. Different levels of porosity within the building react to this specific condition.