Topping-out ceremony for new building for astrophysics research
More than 39 million euros invested in research location
The building shell of the Erlangen Centre for Astroparticle Physics (ECAP) is now complete. After around 11 months of construction work, the invited guests celebrated the occasion with Klaus Holetschek, Bavarian State Secretary at the Bavarian State Ministry for Housing, Construction and Transport, and the Bavarian Minister of the Interior, Joachim Herrmann. The Bavarian and federal governments have invested more than 39 million euros here in Erlangen as a research location. FAU can look forward to a new building that creates the best possible working conditions in the groundbreaking field of astroparticle physics research.
The award-winning design from architects Glass Kramer Löbbert BDA and Dichter Architekturgesellschaft mbH from Berlin combines optimum laboratory conditions and high functionality with high amenity value. Communication zones and several spaces allowing views into and out of the building will enable researchers to exchange information and ideas openly and freely. State Secretary Holetschek: ‘Cutting-edge research needs the best possible conditions. The new research building means we are not only strengthening Erlangen’s position and the whole of Bavaria as a key location for research, but we are also creating the perfect environment for researchers, students and staff on campus.’
Completion of the flagship project under the management of the State Construction Office Erlangen-Nuremberg is planned for the end of 2021. For Bavarian science minister Bernd Sibler, the new research building is a considerable improvement of the infrastructure for the groundbreaking international research carried out at ECAP. He emphasised: ‘This new building means we are increasing the appeal of Erlangen as a magnet for excellent research. It enables us to further improve the reputation of Bavaria as a location for outstanding research for researchers from all over the world. ECAP is outstanding publicity for the metropolitan region of Erlangen and Nuremberg and for Bavaria as a whole as an important location for science and research. This marks the start of a venture into new dimensions – science is the key to the future!’
The new building is just a stone’s throw away from the Institutes of the FAU Department of Physics and the Max-Planck Institute for the Science of Light and will house laboratories, workshops, and offices with representative spaces on the ground floor and communication zones on all levels on around 3500 square metres of floor space. The construction of this research building by the Free State of Bavaria represented by the State Construction Office Erlangen-Nuremberg will secure and strengthen the excellent position of ECAP in the long term. The project is being funded within the scope of extra funding for research according to Section 91b of the German Constitution.
Further information
State Construction Office Erlangen-Nuremberg
Dieter Maußner
Phone +49 9131 62590
dieter.maußner@stbaer.bayern.de
FAU Press Office
Phone +49 9131 85 70229
presse@fau.de