Innovative solutions for science and research

The infrastructure of universities and research institutions is a strategic resource for tomorrow’s innovation. Academic study, teaching, research and knowledge transfer are evolving so rapidly that new requirements for space, rooms, and equipment are constantly emerging. Existing buildings often cannot meet these requirements. That's why campuses and buildings need to be planned and delivered with physical and digital infrastructure that is fit for the future and can adapt flexibly to new requirements.

The dynamic nature of research requires universities and research institutions to continually evolve. They must meet new requirements for sustainable mobility, digital infrastructure, interdisciplinary collaboration, and modern teaching formats. Strategic development requires a master plan that defines an implementation strategy for construction work based on the institution’s development planning. We support master plan development at both campus and building level through user requirements planning. This ensures that scientific facilities can be designed to be efficient and adaptable. The resulting concepts for campuses, spaces, and their use are tailored to individual needs and take account of technologies suited to future requirements, while encouraging exchange, supporting New Work, and enabling insights that shape the future. 

Smart buildings don’t just happen. Modern teaching and research require high-performance, secure IT infrastructure. This includes audiovisual technology that enables hybrid learning formats and digital collaboration, as well as sustainably operated data centers and building automation. Only a clear digital strategy can turn these individual components into a university or research institution that makes intelligent use of digital technology. We help develop or update the strategy, establish standards, and plan and optimize operations. We ensure integration into existing structures and support the change process. We also use future-proof, sustainable, and scalable solutions to create digital opportunities that take teaching and research to a new level. 

Delivering university and research facilities is a technically demanding, complex task. Future-proof planning requires close coordination among numerous specialist disciplines. To achieve this, our experts use innovative and proven methods such as lean management, modularization, and digitalization, including Building Information Modeling (BIM), to reduce complexity, minimize interfaces, and simplify coordination. Our general planning services bring together design disciplines such as architectural and interior design, structural and building systems engineering, building physics, transportation planning, and site and landscape design across all service phases. This ensures that the buildings meet scientific and technological requirements while also providing optimal environments for learning and work. 

Educational institutions need suitable research infrastructure to gain new insights into natural sciences such as chemistry, biology, and physics. Laboratory planning involves far more than designing rooms. Flexibility and expandability, along with efficiency and functionality, must be reconciled with numerous regulations and guidelines. Our laboratory planning develops suitable concepts that support scientific objectives, covering everything from defining individual requirements and planning building systems to selecting laboratory furnishings. Our experts ensure that laboratories meet the highest safety and quality standards while also being flexible and sustainable. 

Integrating technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and high-performance computing (HPC) is of central importance to research institutions. Secure research data management and the development of digital capabilities are also essential for science and research. Greener data centers are essential for a smaller carbon footprint. Our consulting, planning, and management services ensure that data centers can be operated in an environmentally responsible and economically sustainable way. We ensure security, availability, and data flows within research institutions or data centers without neglecting individual requirements. 

Project owners face the challenge of delivering complex and complicated university and research construction projects within tight constraints, whether they involve new construction or renovation. They must also take into account the interests of numerous stakeholders, from scientists to funding bodies. Our experienced project management team ensures a structured, transparent, and efficient process for your construction projects. We coordinate everyone involved, minimize risks, ensure quality, and keep costs and schedules on track from the initial idea through commissioning. Our construction management provides professional oversight of construction processes and ensures that all building work meets the highest requirements for functionality and sustainability. Our commissioning management also ensures that all technical systems and infrastructure work smoothly and efficiently to meet scientific requirements. We create infrastructure that meets the highest scientific and technological requirements through comprehensive management and innovative methods such as BIM.

Research and educational institutions face a particular challenge when carrying out construction and renovation work while operation continues. Laboratories, lecture halls, and scientific facilities must remain usable while sensitive research infrastructure is protected. Our consulting and planning make this possible. We develop suitable concepts for construction projects so that research and teaching can continue without interruption. We plan the work for seamless integration into operations, minimize disruption from noise and vibration, and ensure the highest safety and cleanroom standards. We ensure that work is completed on time and within the planned budget through close coordination with everyone involved and precise scheduling. We use approaches such as Cradle to Cradle® design, DGNB or BNB certification, construction methods that work with nature or use modular systems, flexible space concepts, energy-saving concepts, and participatory planning to create an inspiring environment for sustainable learning. We provide our clients with support from a single source and bring in our experts as needed, keeping the process straightforward.