Current Tenders & Competitions

The Aviation Innovation Centre (AIC) is conceived as a new research and enterprise campus at Aachen-Merzbrück Airfield in Würselen, forming the first anchor project within a wider innovation district dedicated to future aviation technologies and advanced mobility. Positioned beside the planned Mobility Hub, the 11,300 m² development brings together start-ups, research institutions and technology companies working across aerospace engineering, lightweight construction, sensor systems and autonomous mobility. Designed as a flexible multi-tenant environment, the building combines large-scale workshop and prototyping halls with adaptable office spaces organised around a central atrium that acts as both a circulation spine and a social condenser for collaboration, exhibitions and public events. Additional programme includes conference facilities, co-working areas, roof terraces, a publicly accessible restaurant and integrated childcare facilities, reinforcing the project’s ambition to function as both a workplace and a civic destination within the emerging district.

The architecture is envisioned as a modular and highly adaptable structure based on a 1.35-metre construction grid, allowing for long-term flexibility and phased occupation. Sustainability forms a central driver of the project, with ambitions for KfW energy-efficiency certification and DGNB Gold or Platinum accreditation. The proposal integrates photovoltaic systems, heat pumps and low-impact building materials while prioritising robust, low-maintenance construction and life-cycle durability. The decision to avoid underground parking, enabled by the neighbouring mobility infrastructure, reflects a broader commitment to reducing land consumption and encouraging sustainable transport. Through its combination of advanced research infrastructure, public-facing spaces and environmentally responsive design, the AIC aims to establish a visible architectural identity for the transformation of the Aachen region into a leading centre for aviation innovation and technological development.