TU Berlin Plans Partial Reopening of Main Building Despite Construction Defects
Berlin, September 7 – The main building of the Technical University (TU) Berlin, which has been closed for months due to significant construction defects, is now being considered for a partial reopening. The university announced in a press statement, made available to the German Press Agency (dpa), that a potential partial utilization is being “intensively prepared.” However, a specific timeline for this reopening was not provided.
Currently, examinations are already being held in the Audimax and another lecture hall within the building, indicating initial steps towards resuming activities. The university is focusing on ensuring the safety and functionality of these areas before expanding access.
Fire Safety Checks Underway for Further Partial Use
Further partial uses of the main building are currently undergoing fire safety inspections. The TU Berlin anticipates receiving the results of an external feasibility study within the next month. This study will be crucial in determining which additional areas can be safely reopened.
The initial focus for reopening will be on the ground-floor lecture halls. These are intended for examinations and, if all necessary conditions are met, also for regular lectures. This strategic approach aims to prioritize essential academic activities while ensuring the safety of students and staff.
Despite these efforts, a full return of all faculties and administrative departments to the main building will not be possible during the winter semester. This is attributed to the building’s size, the complexity of the ongoing processes, and the necessary coordination required for such a large-scale reintegration. The lecture period for the winter semester 26/27 is scheduled to commence on October 12.
All 4,000 Courses to Be Held In-Person
The main building of the university was closed on May 9 due to a variety of construction defects. The accumulated renovation backlog at the TU Berlin is estimated by the university to be a substantial 2.4 billion euros, highlighting the scale of the challenges faced.
Despite these limitations, the university has committed to ensuring that all approximately 4,000 courses for the upcoming semester will be held in person. To achieve this, rooms in other TU buildings will be utilized more extensively, and seminars and lectures may be scheduled during off-peak hours to accommodate the increased demand for space.
Plans for the Closed BH-N Building
In addition to the main building, the TU Berlin also plans to partially reopen the Bergbau- und Hüttenwesen (BH-N) building on Ernst-Reuter-Platz, which has been closed since June, also due to construction defects. Since mid-August, researchers have been granted limited access to the BH-N building, indicating a similar phased approach to its reopening.
“Our aim is to improve the building’s condition quickly, but also carefully and professionally,” stated TU President Fatma Deniz. This emphasizes the university’s commitment to both efficiency and thoroughness in addressing the structural issues.
New Constructions and Future Developments
The TU Berlin is also actively engaged in several new construction projects. On September 4, the topping-out ceremony was held for the Chemical Invention Factory, which will provide laboratory space for Green Chemistry. The Interdisciplinary Center for Modeling and Simulation (Imos), featuring laboratories, conference rooms, a 3D printing and visualization center, and its own high-performance computer, is scheduled to open on September 10.
Furthermore, the topping-out ceremony for the Tulium, a new transfer and exhibition building located behind the main building, will be celebrated at the end of September. These new facilities are expected to enhance the university’s research and academic capabilities, providing modern spaces for innovation and collaboration.
The university’s proactive measures to address the construction defects and simultaneously invest in new infrastructure demonstrate its dedication to maintaining high academic standards and providing a conducive learning and research environment for its community.
Source: https://www.zeit.de/news/2026-09/07/tu-berlin-plant-teile-des-hauptgebaeudes-zu-oeffnen
