Foundation stone laid for new Physics building New gateway to the East Campus of Technische Universität Braunschweig
On 16 February 2026, the symbolic laying of the foundation stone for the new Physics building at Technische Universität Braunschweig took place. This is the third new teaching and research building that TU Braunschweig and the State of Niedersachsen have jointly initiated in the past two years. Alongside Niedersachsen’s Minister of Science Falko Mohrs and Prof. Dr. Anja Hesse, Head of the Department of Culture and Science of the City of Braunschweig, President of TU Braunschweig Prof. Dr. Angela Ittel placed a time capsule in the foundation stone. The new building, which cost around 72.4 million euros to construct, will provide excellent conditions for physics students and researchers.
Minister of Science Falko Mohrs and President of TU Braunschweig Angela Ittel jointly placed the time capsule in the foundation stone. Photo credit: Christian Bierwagen/TU Braunschweig
The new research and teaching building is being constructed on the site of the former chemistry building, which was demolished in 2024. It will replace the existing physics building at Mendelssohnstraße 3, which is in dire need of renovation. Located along Hans-Sommer-Straße, the building will mark the entrance to TU Braunschweig’s East Campus in the future.
The new building will provide state-of-the-art space for research and teaching in the field of physics: half of the space in the northern wing will be used for laboratories, measuring rooms and weighing rooms, including clean rooms and rooms specially dampened for vibration-sensitive experiments. These facilities will be complemented by a helium liquefaction plant and a workshop with a materials store.
Architecture and sustainability
The southern part of the building will house office workspaces, seminar rooms and lecture halls. A multi-storey, light-flooded foyer connects the levels and creates a direct link from Hans-Sommer-Straße to the East Campus. The ground floor will feature additional student workspaces with access to the green inner courtyard. The seminar rooms on the upper floors are also located on the edge of this courtyard. Above the fourth floor, a half-storey will house the central building services.
Sustainability plays a central role in the construction; the building and its technical equipment are designed to enable efficient management of resources. For instance, efficient heat recovery systems utilise waste heat, and photovoltaic modules cover the entire free roof area to reduce the CO₂ footprint.
Completion of a chain of replacement buildings
The foundations for the new Chemistry and Pharmacy buildings were laid at the end of 2024 and in the summer of 2025. The laying of the foundation stone for the new Physics teaching and research building is now the third in this chain. The three buildings are scheduled to open successively from 2027 onwards.
Comments on the laying of the foundation stone
Falko Mohrs, Niedersachsen‘s Minister of Science and Culture:
“Good teaching and high-performance research require not only bright minds, but also the right space: modern laboratories, functional lecture halls, contemporary workplaces and areas for communication and collaboration. The new Physics building creates these conditions: As a state, we are investing in this modern, sustainable teaching and research building, which, together with the new Chemistry and Pharmacy buildings already under construction, will be part of the gradual renewal of the Natural Sciences Campus. This will strengthen TU Braunschweig’s standing in international research and its role as a driving force for the Braunschweig economic region.”
Prof. Dr. Angela Ittel, President of TU Braunschweig:
“I am very grateful that we are now able to realise this construction project – it was high time: the condition of the current Physics building was no longer tenable, neither for researchers nor for students. At the same time, Physics research at our university is conducted at the highest level, as demonstrated by our participation in the QuantumFrontiers Cluster of Excellence, which provides us with international visibility. If we want world-class science, we must create the conditions for it, providing spaces where research can flourish. This allows us to look to the future with much greater confidence.”
Prof. Dr. Anja Hesse, Head of the Department of Culture and Science, City of Braunschweig:
“A new chapter in physics is being opened today in Braunschweig. I would like to congratulate Professor Ittel on her success in laying the foundation stone for the new physics building at Technische Universität Braunschweig, one of the university’s central faculties, thereby creating optimal working conditions and strengthening TU Braunschweig’s standing in international teaching and research. I would like to thank Minister Mohrs for enabling the state government to provide TU Braunschweig with modern and sustainable premises by supporting the construction project with a high double-digit million sum. After all, this new building is also a widely visible commitment by the state government to Braunschweig as a centre of science.”
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Eduard Jorswieck, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering:
“The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, and Physics is eagerly awaiting the new physics building. The new building will provide an excellent technical infrastructure for outstanding research. It is centrally located opposite the Electrical Engineering Building and next to LENA, which will make it very attractive for students.”