Significant Momentum for Weimar as a Centre for Building Materials Research: Federal Government and Three States Decide to Establish Federal Construction Research Centre

The research centre plans to combine basic research and practice-oriented research in the construction industry in a structured manner. This should make it possible for the results to be put into practice more quickly. Weimar already offers excellent conditions for closing the existing gap between research and practice. 

The three Weimar-based institutions – the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, the  IAB-Institut für angewandte Bauforschung Weimar, and the Materials Research and Testing Laboratory (MFPA) – are ideally positioned in construction and building materials research and have been working closely together since 2020 as the Weimar Alliance »Innovationszentrum Bau – Die Zukunft des Bauens« since 2020. Their aim is to make construction processes more efficient, sustainable, faster, more adaptive, and cost-effective. With the BFZ now established, it will be possible for the innovation centre to expand upon its current structures and significantly accelerate the transfer of research results into industrial processes.

»The location of Weimar was deliberately chosen by the federal government because of its exceptionally high level and concentration of expertise in construction research«, emphasises Prof. Peter Benz, President of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. »The close relationship with decades of experience in university research, applied construction, and materials research is virtually unparalleled in Germany.  Our Weimar Alliance will be further strengthened by the Federal Construction Research Centre – a major statement.«

»Together, we’ve created a strong foundation for the future of the German construction industry«, says Robert Fetter, Director of the IAB Weimar. »The concentration of technical expertise, established industry-oriented research, and the close relationship between universities and non-university practical research are unique in Germany.«

»By establishing a national Construction Research Centre, with one of its three locations is in Weimar, Thuringia’s reputation location for innovation is being cemented; it is an effective sign of the urgently needed change in the construction industry, something that we are committed to. Together with our partners in industry, we will be able to put the research results into practical application more quickly. We are really excited about this«, stresses Prof. Carsten Könke, Director of the Materials Research and Testing Laboratory Weimar.

The BFZ plan to identify the research gaps that are important for a sustainable construction (materials) industry and use them to develop research opportunities. Research institutions, industry, trade, and administration will all be networked, meaning the results will have a broad practical impact through real-world laboratories and pilot projects. The BFZ will also be taking on administrative and communication responsibilities to ensure a seamless transfer of innovation. 

The first step is that the BFZ will be legally established as a registered association. The federal government and the three founding states of Thuringia, Saxony, and Baden-Württemberg will be equal members of the association. The association's registered office will be in Bautzen, Saxony. The federal government has earmarked €52.5 million to establish the Construction Research Centre from 2026 to 2028, of which up to €5  million per year can be used for each location. The long-term financing of the BFZ will be regulated by a federal-state agreement that is yet to be determined.

Further information on the »Innovationszentrum Bau« can be found at: www.die-zukunft-des-bauens.de

For interviews and further discussions, please contact Claudia Weinreich, Press Officer at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, at: presse[at]uni-weimar.de.