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All systems go for new biomedicine building
The University of Basel is expanding its Schällemätteli campus with a new research building for its Department of Biomedicine. Planning permission has been granted, the agreement with the sole contractor has been signed, and the loan guarantee is in place. In other words, everything is ready for construction to begin in Fall 2023.
02 May 2023
In the Department of Biomedicine, academics and scientists from the field of basic medical research and the university hospitals work side by side to understand the causes of diseases, improve diagnoses and develop new treatment methods. A new laboratory building is to be constructed for this research on the University of Basel’s Life Sciences Campus and is due to be completed by 2031.
The project was awarded to the Swiss construction company Implenia as sole contractor following a public call for tenders in September 2022. The contract for the work and labor has been signed.
Loan security in place
The proposed costs for the new building in 2013 were based on a rough estimate of CHF 212 million. A realistic calculation and the binding quote provided by sole contractor Implenia showed that this estimate was excessively low.
At the end of April 2023, the parliaments of the two supporting cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft therefore jointly agreed to increase the loan security to CHF 365 million. This agreement represents the final green light for the construction project, planning permission having been granted in February.
Information event for local residents
Under the latest plans, construction work is set to begin in September 2023. An event will be held at the end of June to present the project to local residents and inform them about the upcoming work.
To see what the new building will look like in its finished state, visit the foyer of Kollegienhaus on Petersplatz, where a model of the project is currently on display.
Further information
Reto Caluori, Communications, tel. +41 61 207 24 95, email: reto.caluori@unibas.ch
About the project
A new building for the University of Basel’s Department of Biomedicine DBM is being constructed on the Schällemätteli Life Sciences Campus, close to the university hospitals and other research institutions. DBM currently has about 70 research groups, spread across five sites. The project will bring them together under one roof.
The new building will have a floor area of more than 35,000 square meters and provide space for 900 staff and 200 students. With its cutting-edge facilities, the new addition will strengthen Basel’s international competitiveness by making it even more attractive and productive as a research and science hub.
