Laying the foundation block for the new BfS building in Munich

Study of the cubature and façade of the new building Source: Glass Kramer Löbbert Ges. v. Architekten mbH BDA

The BfS is building a new facility near Munich at the Neuherberg site. It will include 13 state-of-the-art laboratories and a dedicated situation centre for radiological emergency protection.

BfS President Inge Paulini and Ministerial Director Hartmut Pellens from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) took part in the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone on 20 November 2024. Walter Kolbeck from the Federal Agency for Real Estate Tasks (BImA) and Doris Lackerbauer, Head of the Rosenheim State Building Authority, were also present.

"Modern infrastructure and cutting-edge research in radiation protection go hand in hand. Radiological emergency response in Germany also requires a forward-thinking framework. The new building of the BfS in Munich-Neuherberg fulfils precisely these requirements and will ensure that radiation protection in Germany remains well positioned", says Pellens.

Walter Kolbeck (BIMA), Hartmut Pellens (BMUV), Inge Paulini (BfS), Johan Kramer (GKL), and Doris Lackerbauer (StBA RO) at the laying of the foundation stone

"Munich-Neuherberg is the largest laboratory site of the BfS and an important part of the Federal Radiological Situation Centre. BfS researchers were able to contribute their expectations and requirements for a modern laboratory environment to the development of the building. The innovative timber hybrid design is a pioneering achievement in laboratory construction and supports the goal of a climate-neutral federal administration", says Paulini.

"Today's laying of the foundation stone marks an important step for the Neuherberg research campus and for BImA as the client. This building will not only provide modern workspaces but also plays a key role in the efforts of the BfS to protect the population", says Kolbeck. As the central real estate company of the federal government, BImA is the owner of the property and the developer of the new construction project.

Infrastructure for all radiation protection tasks

Model of the planned new building Source: Glass Kramer Löbbert Ges. v. Architekten mbH BDA

The new building will replace the existing building from 1979. This was part of the Institute for Radiation Hygiene at the time. The institute and many of its employees were transferred to the newly founded BfS in 1989. The laboratories in the new BfS building will cover the full range of radiation protection activities. In the radiobiology laboratories, the basics of cellular radiation effects can be investigated. Consumer protection benefits from the laboratories for investigating optical radiation or electromagnetic fields, where for example lasers or mobile phones can be examined.

In the event of a radiological emergency, the BfS will operate from the Munich-Neuherberg site as part of the Federal Radiological Situation Centre (RLZ) and support the Federal Environment Ministry. The new building has specially designed rooms which can be used for analysing and assessing the radiological situation in Germany for example.

A six-meter-high glass sculpture by artist Felix Stumpfe will symbolise the diverse aspects of radiation protection at the site. The design incorporates elements reminiscent of the yellow radioactivity warning sign complemented by green areas symbolising hope.