Information on the competition
Reason for and aim of the competition/competition task:
A new research building is being constructed at the Max Rubner Institute (MRI) in Kiel. The new building in the direct vicinity of Kiel University (CAU) is necessary because the existing property on Hermann-Weigmann-Straße no longer meets the current requirements of modern research. Completion is planned for autumn 2028 – the Federal Research Institute will then continue to work in the new building on around 12,000 square meters. The new building is to be planned, constructed
and operated as part of a PPP (public-private partnership) project. The award procedure for this is expected to be completed in August 2025.
The Max Rubner Institute is the federal government’s research and advisory institution in the field of nutrition and food. The task of the departmental research institute within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture is to provide scientific decision-making support to policymakers through high-quality research and competent advice. Scientific independence, objectivity and a high level of competence in the field of nutrition and food are the basis for fulfilling this task. The research focus of the Max Rubner Institute is consumer health protection. This includes basic research as well as applied research, practical and results-oriented in the areas of quality, safety and authenticity of food, healthy and sustainable nutrition and, in particular, the nutrition of
population groups in specific phases of life with sometimes special requirements, such as children and senior citizens.
In the new building at the Kiel site, research is carried out into the safety, quality and authenticity of animal foods such as milk and fish and into microbiology. The control center for monitoring environmental radioactivity and the national reference laboratory for nematodes in fish are also located here.
The aim of the tendered competitions is to obtain convincing artistic designs for the foyer and entrance area, the recreation and communication areas and the management level, which are appropriate to the requirements of the building project and the art locations and contribute to increasing the quality of stay on site.
Competition procedure
Competition 1
Work area A: Foyer and entrance area – Realization sum: 280,000 euros (gross)
Work area B: Lounge and communication areas – Realization sum: 280,000 euros (gross)
The competition will be held as an anonymous, non-open, single-phase art competition. The participants for the designated areas of work will be selected via a preliminary, Europe-wide open application procedure.
Eligibility Professional artists/groups (Europe-wide).
Competition 2
Work area C: Management level – Realization sum: 40,000 euros (gross)
The competition will be held as an anonymous, non-open invitation procedure. It is not possible to apply to participate.
Eligibility: Professional artists/groups (Germany-wide).
The invitation to tender and the art competition are based on the guidelines for planning competitions (RPW 2013), insofar as these are applicable. The competition follows the BImA’s art in architecture standard.
Promoter, coordination and implementation
Awarding authority
Bundesanstalt für Immobilienaufgaben (BImA)
Ellerstraße 56,
53119 Bonn
Project management
PD – Berater der öffentlichen Hand GmbH
Competition Management
Dorothea Strube
Competition Management
Danziger Str. 52, 10435 Berlin
Application deadline: August 26, 2025