The research building consists of two structures: the Central Building and the LivestockLab, located just 200 meters away, which is used for experimental livestock husbandry. For logistical reasons, a separate building is practical for animal husbandry. All other work takes place in the Central Building. (Image: agn Niederberghaus & Partner GmbH, Halle).
The Building Project
The research building will be constructed on the university's North Campus. The site is located amid facilities of the faculties of biology, forest sciences, and geoscience and geography, directly adjacent to the newly built research greenhouse of the faculty of agricultural sciences. In the Central Building of the research facility, specially configured rooms will be created to accommodate special large-scale equipment. The building will also house additional experimental rooms for researching dietary behavior, supporting functional rooms, and office space. A neighboring building will be constructed specifically to operate climate chambers, which will serve as experimental stables for researching livestock husbandry under variable climatic conditions.
The construction site is currently still undeveloped. It is directly adjacent to the new research greenhouse of the faculty of agricultural sciences (on the right, with the red façade). To the left is the Göttingen Campus computing center. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026, with completion planned for the end of 2029.
The Lab-Structure
The components of the agri-food system are represented as climate simulation spaces: in the CropLab through plant growth chambers, and in the LivestockLab through controlled-environment livestock housing chambers. In the DecisionLab, the behavior of actors in various contexts (supermarket, out-of-home consumption, kitchen: Shopping, Eat, and FoodXperience rooms) is studied, as well as in virtual realities (animal housing environments, landscapes). Here, elements of co-creation with stakeholders (producers, retailers, consumers, civil society) are developed along the value chain. The MeasuringLab serves as a platform for analyzing material flows as well as the quality of the products generated. In all labs, projected climate change is integrated into the experimental design. The goal of AgriFutur is to overcome methodological barriers through a systems-oriented approach to transformation research in the agricultural and food sector.
A Place for Interaction
The building concept will make it possible to integrate interactions between researchers and stakeholders from industry and agricultural practice into the research work. The layout and design of office and communication spaces will encompass a broad spectrum of working situations. A particular focus of the research and building concept is collaboration with people who purchase and prepare agricultural products, thereby making important demand-related decisions. Experimental rooms will be available for such studies. Studies will be feasible both in real-world settings (kitchen, restaurant) and in virtual environments. The equipment will be financed from the funds requested in the proposal.
Climate Control
The infrastructure also includes two climate-controlled laboratories for livestock and crop research. These will make it possible to cultivate crops and keep livestock under simulated future climate scenarios.