Campus Melaten Continues to Grow

Campus Melaten is expanding at an impressive pace, as new buildings enhance the university ecosystem by bringing together science, business, and essential infrastructure. These projects – developed by both private investors and by RWTH Aachen University – are all aligned with the long-term campus strategy.

The Smart Logistics cluster is now entering its final phase with the third phase of construction, making it the first cluster on Campus Melaten to reach full completion. The latest building – developed by investor Landmarken AG and designed by architects agn Niederberghaus & Partner – adds roughly 13,000 square meters of laboratory and workshop space, flexible offices, meeting areas, and event rooms. The facility is conceived as a smart building, with advanced digital systems that integrate energy, climate, and usage data, allowing the spaces to adapt to a wide range of research and development needs. Landmarken AG, which also developed the cluster’s first investor-built facility, continues to help shape the evolving urban development on Campus Boulevard.

Construction is also nearing completion in the Biomedical Engineering Cluster, located next to Uniklinik RWTH Aachen’s Center for Teaching and Training (CT²). The second construction phase – adding around 8,600 square meters of rental space – is scheduled for completion at the end of 2025. The investor, Frauenrath Group, together with sop architects from Düsseldorf, had previously developed the neighboring CT² and is now continuing the site’s development. The new building will house both the Innovation Center for Digital Medicine and Uniklinik RWTH Aachen’s Health Professions Academy. Once completed, about 220 researchers will work on digital care models here, while 60 educators will train roughly 660 students and trainees in medical and nursing professions.

In March 2025, RWTH celebrated the groundbreaking for the Center for Digitally Networked Production (CDVP), which will include nearly 6,400 square meters of workshop and office space. Developed by RWTH Aachen University, the center will provide facilities for testing digital interfaces between people, machines, and IT systems. The project is supported by federal and state funding as part of the structural transformation efforts in the Rhineland mining region.

The Fraunhofer Center for Digital Energy (FENergy) is closely aligned with the Sustainable Energy Cluster in terms of research focus. Its aim is to develop digital technologies that support secure, efficient, and resilient energy systems. Backed by several Fraunhofer institutions, the center further strengthens Campus Melaten as a hub for cutting-edge energy research in the context of digital transformation.

RWTH is also moving forward with a six-story dual-use building in Campus West. The lower floors will house an RWTH daycare center with eight groups and space for about 120 children. Above it will be the new Institute of Geography, featuring a dedicated library, study spaces, media workstations, and modern laboratory facilities. Completion is planned for 2027.

Work will also continue in the Sustainable Energy Cluster with a second building phase. The new building – offering roughly 5,800 square meters of rental space – will expand the first construction phase and create additional room for R&D projects focused on modern energy systems. Flexible office, laboratory, and workshop spaces are planned. The project is designed to attract external investors, and the selection process is currently underway.

– Author: David Horward