Digital construction site opens: TU Braunschweig heralds the future of construction!

Digital construction site opens: TU Braunschweig heralds the future of construction!

A new chapter in the construction world is opening at the Technical University of Braunschweig. On July 3, 2025, the university opened the Digital Construction Site (DCS) on Campus East with an event that attracted guests from science, politics and the construction industry. The President of TU Braunschweig, Angela Ittel, spoke about the social relevance of research and its contribution to the sustainable transformation of the construction industry. Also Dr. Neven Josipovic, the Chief Innovation Officer of the City of Braunschweig, emphasized the importance of DCS for future urban development and provided the impetus for a paradigm shift in construction.

What exactly does the construction industry expect from the DCS? This innovative construction site offers impressive equipment: a large-format 3D printer, which is six meters high and was developed as a world first in collaboration with the company COBOD, is complemented by an automated concrete mixing plant, mobile robots and tracking systems. Virtual and augmented reality are used in the Digital Engineering Center to bundle process data and control it efficiently. All of these technologies aim to establish digital processes that shorten construction times, improve construction quality and minimize communication errors - a real step forward for the industry.

Challenges in construction

The construction industry is facing current challenges: The demand for housing and infrastructure is constantly increasing, while resources are limited and CO₂emissions remain high. In this context, skilled workers are rare and productivity stagnates. The DCS team is daring to take a new approach with data-based, automated processes. The goal is clear: to create a globally unique construction research infrastructure that cooperates closely with industry and develops consistent digital process chains. The scientists see this as an opportunity to promote resource-efficient construction and increased safety.

As part of the opening, a panel discussion was also offered, focusing on cooperation between politics, business and research. Regional and national construction companies were invited to use the DCS as a test field and source of inspiration for innovative approaches.

The role of 3D printing

Particular attention is being paid to the possibilities of 3D printing in construction, which is now considered a key technology. The research project “Additive Manufacturing in Construction” (AMC) from the TU Braunschweig and the TU Munich is receiving a four-year extension from the German Research Foundation. Scientists are working on improving printing techniques, particularly in relation to environmentally friendly materials such as clay and flood protection. The aim is to achieve more efficient use of materials and reduce environmental impact. Innovative robotic processes will be researched to make optimal use of clay as a building material.

These interdisciplinary approaches not only promote a rethink in the construction sector, but also lay the foundations for a sustainable future. The TRR 277 AMC Collaborative Research Center is at the forefront of driving forward the digital and sustainable transformation of the construction industry.

Overall, the opening of the DCS shows that the future of construction is being worked on here. It is time for all stakeholders – from universities to authorities to companies – to work together to give this industry a new face and meet the high demands of a modern society.

For more information, take a look at reports from heise.de, regionalheute.de and bayika.de.