Frostpunk 2 – How to build and place a Research Institute

Progress is mandatory.

Research Institute building in Frostpunk 2
Screenshot by Dot Esports

One of the first buildings you must construct in Frostpunk 2 is a Research Institute that unlocks the Idea Tree and the ability to research more buildings and upgrades. There are certain requirements for every building in Frsotpunk 2, so here’s how to build and place a Research Institute.

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How to build a Research Institute in Frostpunk 2

Black marker for Research Institute in Frostpunk 2
Only so many places for a building. Screenshot by Dot Esports

You must construct and expand a Housing District to build a Research Institute in Frostpunk 2. Expanding a district gives it one building slot, and you can only build the Research Institute in Housing Districts.

Here’s a step-by-step of how to build a Research Institute:

  1. Build a Housing District in your city.
  2. Select the district and expand it (costs additional Prefabs and Heatstamps).
  3. Choose the Research Institute in the Buildings menu.
  4. Look for the black marker in the Housing District and build the Research Institute there.

When the district has a suitable building slot for the selected building, you’ll see a black marker in the district. You have to place the building on that marker to start construction. As you progress through the game and grow your city, you’ll be able to have two building slots per district.

Other buildings in the game work the same, just for different districts and resource deposits. For example, a Shaft Coal Mine is only for Extraction Districts over Coal deposits. You can see which district you should place the building in via the Building menu categories (like Housing and Extraction). Also, check the building’s effects and output, as it can specify its exact purpose.

How to demolish buildings in Frostpunk 2

Research Institute in Housing District's menu in Frostpunk 2
A way to save resources when in a tight spot. Screenshot by Dot Esports

To demolish or deactivate a building in your city, select a district and choose the corresponding option near the building slot. Demolishing a building refunds some Heatstamps and Prefabs, and deactivating it reduces the Heat demand.

Author
Image of Edward Strazd
Edward Strazd
Freelance News and SEO Writer for Dot Esports, covering everything from live service games like Destiny 2 and Fortnite to new releases. Writing about games since 2021. When he's not writing, he's probably grinding for loot in Destiny 2.