The Company
Li3 Lithium Designers GmbH, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, brings together architecture, engineering, and research under one roof. Under the leadership of Dr.-Ing. Alamir Mohsen, the company specializes in developing innovative building construction solutions for complex buildings and free-form facades.
At the core of their innovation is the Li3_Method: a fully digital planning approach that combines parametric modeling, topology-optimized 3D-printed metal nodes, and automated structural analysis. With their proprietary software Li3M and the world's first architectural project featuring 3D-printed metal nodes in a real building facade (HivE), Lithium Designers is setting new standards at the intersection of digitalization and construction.
The Challenge
Lithium Designers continuously invests in research and development, from advancing the Li3M software to developing novel 3D-printed node connections. The key challenge in applying for the R&D tax allowance was one of demarcation: which activities qualify as conventional planning services under HOAI, and which truly qualify as research and development?
This distinction is particularly complex for companies operating at the intersection of architecture and technology. The technical expertise was already in place, but structuring the application in line with funding requirements and correctly classifying the projects required specific funding-related know-how that is not easily accessible within day-to-day operations.
Working with re:fund
re:fund accompanied the entire application process from start to finish. From analyzing the eligible projects and structuring the documentation to the final submission to the BSFZ, the coordination remained with re:fund. This allowed Lithium Designers to focus on the technical content while administrative effort was reduced to a minimum.
The workload on the company's side was moderate. re:fund's long-standing funding expertise ensured that the distinction between planning services and R&D was documented precisely and in line with funding requirements. Dr. Mohsen describes the collaboration as highly pleasant and professional.
"What we found particularly valuable was the combination of technical expertise and hands-on support."
– Dr. Alamir Mohsen, Managing Director
The result
Lithium Designers successfully applied for the R&D tax allowance with re:fund. The BSFZ reviewed the submitted innovations and confirmed their eligibility. The funding enables the company to advance further development projects and to expand its innovation potential in digital facade planning and 3D printing.
Dr. Mohsen would recommend re:fund at any time.
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