The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut's new building project is very demanding and complex in various respects. The building developer has therefore decided to take some new, innovative approaches to project management:

As things stand, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut's new building in Langen is to be implemented using integrated project management (IPM) on the basis of a multi-party agreement (MPA). Trust, cooperation and transparency form the basis of a successful IPM project. For the best chance at success, contractors will be sought who – like the parties brought in by the building developer – are open to new, cooperative and integrative ways of working.

In the integrated project management model, the framework conditions (culture, organisation, economy and methods) are designed so that project participants can cooperate to achieve the project objectives. This approach is based on the American model of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and the English model of Project Partnering (PP). It has been adapted and further optimised in Germany since 2015 within the context of German law. Several large-scale projects based on the IPM model are currently underway in Germany in both the public and private sectors.

The legal basis for integrated project management is the multi-party agreement, in which all key parties are bound as contractual partners. The multi-party agreement is designed to ensure that all contract partners cooperate closely and pursue the success of the project as a common goal based on shared project principles. An essential element in successful cooperation is to incorporate the expertise of the individual trades into the building planning stages. If all parties can directly cooperate with the object planner and the technical planners, the quality of the design and execution will in turn increase and the entire planning process will be more effective. The contracting parties within the multi-party agreement synchronise their individual operations in order to prepare for, plan, and implement the project in the best possible way.

The new building will help the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut to ensure continued future operations using the latest state-of-the-art technology – an important prerequisite for fulfilment of its official duties as a scientific Federal Institute. The new building concept will also take the changing requirements of a modern workplace into account. The overall concept for the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut's long-term development was completed by the Berlin planning office Heinle, Wischer und Partner in October 2015. The plan explicitly recommends a new Paul-Ehrlich-Institut building on an additional plot of land, taking economic efficiency into account.

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.

In 2017, the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) commissioned the Institute for Federal Real Estate (BImA) with the open-ended search for a new location for the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut. Many cities and municipalities were interested in offering the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut a new home. Numerous applicants from the Rhine-Main area applied, and in total there were discussions held with 14 municipalities. Important conditions in the calls for tender were a plot of land with an area of 60,000 to 70,000 m², well-developed infrastructure, and good international transport connections.

Four locations were eventually shortlisted. In order to create the shortlist, the State Office for Construction and Real Estate in Hesse (LBIH) under the auspices of the regional finance authority (Oberfinanzdirektion Frankfurt am Main, OFD) carried out feasibility studies on behalf of the BImA. Langen proved to be the most economical and best option for the future construction of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut according to construction criteria.

The Institute for Federal Real Estate (Bundesanstalt für Immobilienaufgaben, BImA) is the owner of the existing Paul-Ehrlich-Institut building and will decide on the continued use of the building.

Since project planning has not yet been completed, there are no final start dates for any construction activities. The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut will provide information on its website as soon as it is clear when construction is expected to begin.

It is currently estimated that the planning and construction period will last 10 years.

As with any construction site, restrictions such as closed parking lots or road obstructions cannot be ruled out during the construction period. However, the site management team will strive to keep any interruptions within a reasonable framework and to offer alternatives when possible. The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut will provide information on its website as soon as it is aware of any potential restrictions. Residents can submit questions by email at anfragen@pei.de

Yes. The Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building (Bundesministerium für Wohnen, Stadtentwicklung und Bauwesen, BMWSB) has developed "Sustainable Building" guidelines for federal buildings. These guidelines are legally binding for any federal government construction projects.

The Assessment System for Sustainable Building (Bewertungssystem Nachhaltiges Bauen, BNB) also provides information on the sustainability of federal buildings – and thus also on the new Paul-Ehrlich-Institut building – and ensures quality of new buildings.

Further information on sustainable construction can be found on the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) website:

www.bnb-nachhaltigesbauen.de (German only)

If you have any questions about the construction project, please send an email to anfragen@pei.de.