On September 10, 2026, TU Berlin officially opened the new Interdisciplinary Center for Modeling and Simulation (IMoS) in the eastern part of the Charlottenburg campus. Spanning six floors and covering a gross floor area of approximately 11,500 square meters, the new research building provides space for researchers in mathematics, computer science, the natural sciences, the humanities, and engineering. The IMoS was specifically designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and focuses on theoretical and methodological research as well as exchange between disciplines.

Significance of the New Research Building for Berlin as a Center of Science

At the opening ceremony, Dr. Henry Marx, State Secretary for Science and Research, and Prof. Petra Kahlfeldt, Senate Director of Construction and State Secretary for Urban Development, spoke about the significance of the new research building for Berlin as a center of science.

“Mathematical modeling and simulation are key technologies for our future. IMoS brings together cutting-edge interdisciplinary research, high-performance computing infrastructure, and specialized laboratories—thereby creating the ideal conditions for better understanding complex systems, shortening development cycles, and translating research into new technologies more quickly. Berlin is supporting this forward-looking project with 17.3 million euros. IMoS is part of a larger development: Together with the new mathematics building and the planned CIPHOR, a new section of the TU campus is taking shape in Charlottenburg. For me, this sends a strong signal: Berlin isn’t just talking about the future—we’re creating very concrete conditions,” says Dr. Henry Marx, State Secretary for Science and Research.

“The new Research Institute for Modeling and Simulation is a central component of the Technical University of Berlin’s new East Campus. With approximately 5,700 square meters of usable space, it provides excellent conditions for research and makes a strong architectural statement. The new building, designed by Code Unique Architects, features an open, airy design, a clear urban presence, and a high quality of environment. The mathematics building, located in the immediate vicinity, is currently nearing completion and will open next year. The adjacent physics building is currently in the planning phase. “This is how the Senate Department for Urban Development, Construction, and Housing is creating resource-efficient, energy-efficient, and well-designed science buildings,” emphasized Prof. Petra Kahlfeldt, Senate Director of Construction and State Secretary for Urban Development.

TU President Prof. Dr. Fatma Deniz then emphasized how important it is for the university’s development to highlight existing expertise and provide researchers with the right framework conditions. “The IMoS is much more than just a new research building: it creates a place where scientists from different disciplines can pool their expertise and work together on complex societal and technological issues. Modeling, simulation, and optimization open up new possibilities, such as climate- and transportation-friendly urban planning or innovative applications in 3D printing. At the same time, IMoS is a key building block for the development of Campus East and strengthens TU Berlin as a hub for interdisciplinary cutting-edge research.”

The IMoS is the first research building at TU Berlin to be funded under the joint federal and state funding program for research facilities pursuant to Article 91b of the German Basic Law. In addition to funding from the federal government and the State of Berlin, TU Berlin co-financed the new building with approximately 40.4 million euros. The total cost amounts to approximately 75 million euros.

Research Across Disciplinary Boundaries

Modeling and simulation play a central role in an ever-increasing number of scientific and applied fields. Mathematical models and computer simulations help, for example, to optimize industrial processes, develop new materials, or investigate energy systems. Modeling and simulation are also of great importance for artificial intelligence and digital twins.

“The challenges we analyze, model, and simulate for the benefit of society can no longer be tackled by a single researcher working alone. At IMoS, we therefore bring together highly talented individuals from various disciplines and create a space where they can exchange ideas and inspire one another. My hope is that this will give rise to something new and groundbreaking—and that IMoS will become a flagship project that radiates throughout the entire TU Berlin and demonstrates just how innovative Berlin can be as a city of science,” says Prof. Dr. Volker Mehrmann, head of the Numerical Mathematics Department at TU Berlin and coordinator of IMoS.

The architecture of IMoS also reflects this spirit of collaboration: While the office spaces are compact, each floor features spacious communal areas for spontaneous meetings and collaborative work. In addition, there are flexible research laboratories, seminar and conference rooms, as well as 3D labs with immersive visualization and 3D printing facilities. The plans were designed by Code Unique Architekten of Dresden. The planning and construction followed the “Sustainable Building” guidelines with the goal of achieving Silver certification.

Kickoff for the New East Campus

The IMoS is the first of three new research buildings on the TU Berlin East Campus in Charlottenburg. A new building for the Institute of Mathematics is currently under construction in the immediate vicinity; it is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026 and is set to open in 2027. Another new building for the Department of Physics, housing the Center for Integrated Photonics Research (CIPHOR), is in the planning stages. As early as June 1, 2026, the completed IMoS had been symbolically handed over to TU Berlin by the Senate Department for Urban Development, Construction, and Housing. Since then, the first research groups and departments have moved into the building.

As part of the opening ceremony, the artwork “21 Stelen” by artist Siham Issami was unveiled in the IMoS courtyard. It originated from a Europe-wide open “art-in-architecture” competition for the new buildings of the IMoS and the Institute of Mathematics.

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