Ceremony for the new BfS building: Modern infrastructure strengthens emergency response

New and old buildings

The old building is a towering prefabricated building next to which a flat Y-shaped construction with many curves is being built. Next year, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) will gradually move into the new building in Berlin-Karlshorst with offices, research facilities, and a modern situation centre for radiological emergency protection. On Monday, 23 September 2024, many of those involved in the project were invited by the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR) to celebrate the halfway point of the expansion.

Dr Inge Paulini at the construction ceremony

At the construction ceremony, BfS President Inge Paulini pointed out that the new building is a great asset in many respects. "The changing international security situation and the war in Ukraine make it clear that the Federal Office for Radiation Protection needs a state-of-the-art infrastructure in order to continue to efficiently fulfil its tasks", says Paulini. "With its high environmental standards, the new building also marks a further step towards a climate-neutral federal administration."

The new BfS building

High ecological standards as an advantage

The three-storey building, part of which has a basement, has a district heating supply, a photovoltaic system, and a state-of-the-art energy management system. The solar power generated is to be used 100% internally.

In Berlin, the BfS operates facilities for monitoring environmental radioactivity and parts of the Federal Radiological Situation Centre. This is a special crisis unit. The office also manages its defence against nuclear hazards from its premises. It provides support in situations in which radioactive material has been handled without authorisation or misused. "Modern, crisis-proof equipment is the best way to fulfil our mission to protect people and the environment from radiation", says Paulini.

Time capsule for the foundation block Source: BfS

Almost two years ago to the day, Paulini laid the foundation block for the building complex with the State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Stefan Tidow, and other guests. BBR President Petra Wesseler was there then as well as at the most recent event.

Handover is planned for mid-2025

The reinforced concrete skeleton building replaces the tall prefabricated building erected on the site in the early 1970s. This had previously been used by the Staatliches Amt für Atomsicherheit und Strahlenschutz [State Office for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection] (SAAS) of the GDR.

On the three new storeys, around 3,600 m² of floor space has been created for various types of office workstations, laboratories, workshops, and a library. The owner is the Institute for Federal Real Estate (BImA). The BBR is responsible for the construction work. The construction costs are forecast at around EUR 53 million. The handover to the BfS as the user is planned for mid-2025.