Light-flooded entrance hall of the MPI for Structure and Dynamics of Matter with wooden staircase from the 1st floor and a view upwards through a round ceiling hole to the upper floors.
© J. M. Harms

The only research building with gold status at the EXPO Real 2024 award ceremony

Extension of the Institute for Structure and Dynamics of Matter

The project was already registered for DGNB certification at the end of 2015 and was awarded a silver rating at the time. After adapting the system of names and specialist designations to international standards without making any changes to the content, the project was awarded the DGNB gold certification.

White front of the new building wing with many windows and inviting entrance — Front of the new building wing

© J.M.Harms

Front of the new building wing

© J.M.Harms

Roof-garden-of-the-award-winning-mpi-structure-and-dynamics-of-matter — Roof garden of the award winning MPI of Structure and Dynamics of Matter

© Landschaftsarchtitekten+

Roof garden of the award winning MPI of Structure and Dynamics of Matter

© Landschaftsarchtitekten+

The Institute emerged from the two Max Planck Research Groups for structural dynamics at the CFEL (Center for Free-Electron Laser), in which the MPG, the University of Hamburg (HHU) and the German Electron Synchrotron DESY (Helmholtz Association) are also involved. In 2012, a research building was completed for the CFEL on the Bahrenfeld campus of the University of Hamburg, in which the two departments can continue to be housed rent-free by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. Two thirds of the total space required for the MPI for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter was housed in a partially new building in the immediate vicinity.

With an overall fulfillment rate of over 70%, the new research building has now been certified with gold status. The light-flooded, bright Institute meets the established DGNB sustainability criteria and also has an extremely attractive roof garden design.