Humans of RBC: “Always something new waiting for us”

An interview with Ivo Drndelic (Head of Maintenance) and our student Clara Christ

Can you please introduce yourself?
My name is Ivo, I’m 49 years old, originally from Croatia and I’ve been working in building services at RBC since 2017.

And can you introduce yourself now without giving your name, age, origin or role?
Well, first and foremost I’m a father, I also play the guitar and like to do handicrafts, which is also my job in a way. You can often find me in my garden.

What brought you to RBC and what does it mean to you to be part of this community?
Before I came to RBC, I worked in the Foundation Administration, which the Charterhouse was part of even before the college was founded. In fact, I was always a bit jealous of this place because it was always nice and sunny!

When the position was first advertised in 2014, my English still put me off. Fortunately, a friend pointed it out to me again in 2016. I almost didn’t apply, but he said: “Go for it, they’re looking for you!” – and that’s how it turned out. And it turned out that English wasn’t a big hurdle, especially in our building services department.

For me, when I say that I am part of the community, it primarily means being part of this facility. And that’s exactly what makes me happy to get up and go to work every morning. I’m looking forward to the next challenges – especially the ones that the students set us every day. There’s always something new waiting for us.

Thanks to your role in the Maintenance Team, you probably know the college and the campus from a completely different perspective than us students. Can you tell us an RBC secret?

Unfortunately, there are no secret passages or hidden treasures here. But what many people don’t know, for example, is how our water supply is structured.

The main connection with three large pumps is located at the bottom of the Wasserschlössle. These transport all the water around 300 meters behind the auditorium to an elevated tank. From there, it flows down a natural gradient to the consumers. This means that no additional electricity is required and a constant pressure is guaranteed.

The system is also part of our fire protection concept, as we have sufficient water reserves at all times in the event of a fire.

Exciting! Now we all feel a bit safer!
Yes, and even in the event of a power cut we are supplied with water for two or three days.

Do you have a favorite place on campus?
For me, the campus is a favorite place in itself – one of the most beautiful places in the whole of Freiburg! But the view from the elevated tank, which can be reached via the forest path, is particularly great – especially in winter. You can look down on the school from there.
And if you clean the solar panels on House 8, you also have a great view over Freiburg.

What excites you about your work?
Even after ten years, I’m still learning here. The campus is so technically complex that there are situations almost every day where we say: “We’ve never done that before.” Then you have to think about it again.

I can imagine that. Especially with the sustainability concept, I’m sure something is often developing further…
Yes, exactly! It’s like a Ferris wheel that needs a push every now and then to keep it running smoothly.

In conclusion: What motivates you to continue working for a peaceful and sustainable future?
For me, my children are the biggest motivation. Especially as I come from a country where we were not poor, but not particularly rich either. Here, on the other hand, we have almost everything today – and in this respect I would like to slow my children down a little.

Because you can be satisfied and happy with just a little – and protect our planet in the process.

Thank you very much for the interview, Ivo!