Within the scope of the collaborative research center CRC/TRR280 “Design strategies for material-minimized carbon reinforced concrete structures”, interdisciplinary researchers from TU Dresden, RWTH Aachen University and the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e. V.; IPF) mutually investigate. Their research aims at developing novel ideas and generally applicable approaches to design future buildings with innovative structures made of carbon reinforced concrete. Future design should be resource efficient and, hence, the structures’ composition is to be fully consistent with the materials’ specifications. This means slender and filigree building components which feature high bearing capacities due to optimal fabrication and geometry. In the paper, the concept, targets and basic achievements of the multidisciplinary research center is outlined.