Brainport Eindhoven is a cooperative region in Europe where companies, governments and educational institutions work together to develop innovative technology. So it’s no surprise the design for the new Congress and Conference Centre for Eindhoven came as a result of a 2020 competition for the best design.
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The winning proposal came from the Elysion Consortium, a combined effort of Diepenhorst de Vos and Partners, UNStudio, Van der Valk, Huybrechts Relou, Tielemans and Quant Architecture as well as specialists in theater technology and acoustics (PBTA), MEP and BREEAM (DVP smart concepts), cost consultancy (ISIS bouwadvies) and future congress (Sixfingers).
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Rather than create an inconvenience of closing the existing operations during construction, the new conference center is being built directly adjacent to the older building and acts as an extension to the working hotel and restaurant facilities. The surrounding area is conveniently located near the city center and the major airport in the region. The decision provides the ability to expand existing facilities with minimal impact to the immediate area or the city center.
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The designers had several main goals, including to create striking architecture with a small site impact. The cantilevered auditorium structure achieves the first part of the mission while the untouched surrounding parkland connects outdoor spaces. Vertical gardens further supplement the green design.
The Congress and Conference Centre incorporates multifunctional areas and a 1,500-person auditorium that can be converted into four separate usable spaces. The complex also includes sport facilities with the goal of contributing to physical, mental and social health.
Natural materials such as wooden staircases, along with the external wood and glass, complement the surrounding Genneper Parken. The facade includes an innovative nano-technology that absorbs nitrogen dioxide and can capture pollutants from its surroundings, helping to clean the air around the building. Multiple sitting areas throughout the levels invite visitors to take a break, from the roof side landscaping to the shade beneath the building. The proposal also addresses protection and strengthening of the surrounding water ecology of the adjoining ‘beekdal Tongelreep’.
The energy-efficient internal systems will allow the building to generate more energy than it consumes. The largest charging station for electric vehicles in the region will be available for workers and visitors. With an even bigger vision, the designers hope the area will expand into a hub of clean energy and eco-friendly transportation for HOV, bicycles, pedestrians and other forms of transportation in and out of the area. The team is confident in the environmental aspects of the design and has applied for an Outstanding rating for BREEAM. Completion is expected in 2025.
Images via UNStudio
