Building a better future - hands-on science at the Faculty of Civil Engineering for the Dresden Science Night

On the Dresden Science Night on June 20, 2025, the TUD Dresden University of Technology hosted research, expert discussions and, above all, amazement. The Faculty of Civil Engineering also opened its doors and laboratories - and invited visitors of all ages to be inspired by the fascinating topics of civil engineering.

From the early evening, the courtyard between the faculty's laboratories was a hive of activity. The focus was on our current research projects - from the newly confirmed Cluster of Excellence CARE, various Collaborative Research Centers to openLAB, from high-performance concrete to sustainable building materials and innovative structural solutions. At interactive stands, guests were able to lend a hand, test models, monitor model bridges with distributed fiber optic strain measurement or find out about climate-friendly construction. Our employees and students were on hand to bring science to life and make it tangible.

One highlight was the opening of the CUBE carbon concrete house, a globally unique demonstrator project for the construction of the future. Architecturally spectacular and technically groundbreaking, it attracted many visitors. Prof. Manfred Curbach, one of the masterminds behind the project, gave a personal tour of the building and provided exciting insights into the planning, construction and visions of a new construction method using carbon instead of steel.

Auditorium 2 in the Auditorium Center was well filled in the evening when Prof. Steffen Marx captivated the audience with his lecture "What's wrong with our bridges? The collapse of the Carola Bridge - causes and consequences". He not only explained the technical background to the spectacular incident in a captivating and understandable way, but also posed fundamental questions about the maintenance and safety of our infrastructure.

Our conclusion: construction can inspire - if it is explained in an understandable way, made clear and lived passionately. Many thanks to all visitors and contributors - we look forward to next year!