Topping-out Ceremony for the New CALEDO Research Center in Dortmund

“...Let us now consecrate this building, let us protect it and let it flourish,” says the construction manager, speaking from the scaffold, and smashes a small glass on the floor under the topping-out wreath – the shards are supposed to bring CALEDO good luck from now on. Here, in just a few years’ time, scientists will be examining the interactions of molecules in liquids with a view to industrial applications. “CALEDO’s research approach fits perfectly with TU Dortmund University’s profile, and the university can make full use of its special strengths through the new research building: Researchers from the natural and engineering sciences will work closely together here across disciplines, placing a special focus on the rapid transfer of scientific findings into practice,” says Gonca Türkeli-Dehnert, State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, during the celebrations. “After all, the goal is for results achieved here to feed into society too.” Dr. Dirk Günnewig, State Secretary at the Ministry of Finance of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, which is responsible for BLB NRW, adds: “A modern research building offers scientists as well as students a suitable framework for excellent research, interdisciplinarity and successful transfer – today, at the topping-out ceremony, we can already see that BLB NRW is highly committed to producing the right building for CALEDO.”

Infrastructure for cutting-edge international research

The new CALEDO building will in future provide research facilities and workspace for around 100 scientists. The offices and special laboratories will be at the disposal of the professorships and junior research groups in the Department of Physics, the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology as well as the Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering. “CALEDO provides the infrastructure for cutting-edge international research at TU Dortmund University and with the University Alliance Ruhr. The aim is for the laboratories to produce customized liquids for environmentally friendly and innovative processes in chemistry and biotechnology or for pharmaceutical products,” says Professor Manfred Bayer, President of TU Dortmund University, describing the research building’s future activities.

The university secured the funding for the new building in a tough nationwide competition. The funds of around €72 million come in equal parts from Germany’s Federal Government and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. By financing this research building, the State and the Federal Government are creating the foundation for pioneering research in Dortmund.

High demands on the technical building services

BLB NRW is building CALEDO right next to TechnologieZentrumDortmund. For the first time, the Dortmund office of BLB NRW and the Corporate Center Construction and Facility Management of TU Dortmund University are forming a joint project team. “In partnership with TU Dortmund University, BLB NRW is constructing almost 4,000 m2 of state-of-the-art floor space here. What makes the construction work so challenging and unique are the high demands on the technical building services. In addition to office space, conference rooms and technical workshops, we are building highly specialized laboratories – and in so doing creating space for cutting-edge research at TU Dortmund University,” explains Gabriele Willems, Managing Director of BLB NRW. Technical building services must also meet clean room standards and offer protection against vibration and electromagnetic radiation. There are also analytical laboratories with special safety requirements.

“Apart from the technical facilities, the building also has a lot to offer in terms of architecture. With its faced brickwork in a reddish color, rounded corners and ribbon windows with dark-gray frames, CALEDO will be aesthetically appealing,” says Anke Richter, local manager of BLB NRW Dortmund. Gerber, an architects’ office in Dortmund, designed the research building. A leafy, cascade-shaped inner courtyard ensures that it will be a pleasant place to stay.

The project is also important for the City of Dortmund as a location for business and science. “With CALEDO, Dortmund is getting a further top-class international research facility. Dortmund has developed into a science city – and CALEDO on booming North Campus will add another chapter to this success story,” says Heike Marzen, Managing Director of the Economic Development Agency Dortmund.

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