New Building for Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: Winners of the Architectural Competition Have Been Selected

Press Release

Plans for the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut's new building in Langen first began in 2019. Potential solutions for the design of the new building and outdoor area were sought through a restricted, interdisciplinary competition for building construction and open space concepts. A total of eight teams, each consisting of an architectural office and a landscape architecture office, took part and submitted their designs. A prize jury met to decide which of these submissions would be awarded a prize for their design. The jury consisted of professionally qualified architects (expert judges) and representatives of the project participants (practical judges). A negotiated procedure with the award winners will follow to determine and then commission the most economical offer. The Institute for Federal Real Estate (Bundesanstalt für Immobilienaufgaben, BImA) will be the building developer and future owner of the new building. The State Office for Construction and Real Estate in Hesse (Landesbetrieb Bau und Immobilien Hessen, LBIH) is in charge of planning and carrying out the project.

The entries submitted offer a wide range of solutions and were evaluated on the basis of the following criteria: design idea or overall concept, functional and spatial specifications, sustainability, building regulations, and cost-effectiveness. The preliminary review report served as a basis for the jury's evaluation. This report includes comments on the designs' advantages and disadvantages and their suitability for the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut.

"The architects recognised in the competition have designed modular building complexes that can be flexibly and sustainably adapted to our needs. The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut has thus ensured that it will continue to be able to complete its challenging tasks in the future while working at the cutting edge of technology," explained Professor Stefan Vieths, Vice President of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut.

The jury acknowledges the strong performance of all participants and emphasises the high level of quality of all competition entries, of which the following were awarded prizes:

1st Prize

Heinle Wischer Partnerschaft freier Architekten mbB, Berlin
Studio Vulkan Landschaftsarchitektur GmbH, Munich

Source: Alex Schmitt Photography , Heinle Wischer Partnerschaft freier Architekten mbB, Berlin Studio, Vulkan Landschaftsarchitektur GmbH, München

The building has a comb-shaped structure and welcomes visitors via a six-storey reception building flooded with light. The large distance to the neighbouring buildings is a notable positive feature. Possibilities for expansion are ensured via supplemental buildings in the rear part of the property without impairing the functioning of the existing building. The entry provides an overall convincing design with its conception of the central green area, the circular corridor, and the modular functional typology.

2nd Prize

Nickl Architekten Deutschland GmbH, Berlin
Rainer Schmidt Landschaftsarchitekten GmbH, Munich

Source: Alex Schmitt Photography, Nickl Architekten Deutschland GmbH, Berlin, Rainer Schmidt Landschaftsarchitekten GmbH, München

3rd Prize

ATP Frankfurt Planungs GmbH, Frankfurt am Main
GDLA I gornik denkel landschaftsarchitektur PartG mbB, Heidelberg

Source: Alex Schmitt Photography , ATP Frankfurt Planungs GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, GDLA I gornik denkel landschaftsarchitektur PartG mbB, Heidelberg

Special Recognition

Sweco GmbH - Sweco Architects, Frankfurt am Main
Alkewitz Landschaftsarchitekten, Erfurt

Source: Alex Schmitt Photography , Sweco GmbH - Sweco Architects, Frankfurt am Main, Alkewitz Landschaftsarchitekten, Erfurt

Competition Followed by a Negotiated Procedure

The announcement of the architectural competition winners does not represent a decision as to which of the three designs will be realised. The award winners will be involved in an upcoming negotiated procedure in which the most economical offer will be determined and then commissioned. The result of the competition will be given proportionate consideration.

Competition Results Displayed in the Foyer of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut

The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut will be exhibiting all competition entries in its foyer from the 6th to the 19th of November, 2023. Interested persons are cordially invited to visit the exhibition during the specified opening hours. Admission is free.

Address:
Foyer of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut
Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 51–59
63225 Langen

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 12:00 PM-8:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 PM-6:00 PM

Background

The new building will be built on Paul-Ehrlich-Strasse in Langen, directly opposite the current Paul-Ehrlich-Institut building on the site of the former Kronenhof riding arena. The plot covers approximately 65,000 m² of land. The new building is to comprise around 31,000 m² of usable area and will be divided into laboratory areas, office space, animal facilities, common areas (lecture hall, museum, cafeteria), logistics, and a parking garage. Extensive green spaces will be created between the new building and the neighbouring development. It is currently estimated that the planning and construction period will last 10 years.

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