WHERE LIFE SCIENCES AND TOP DESIGN MEET
The Wageningen University & Research (WUR) campus hosts Unilever’s new Global Foods Innovation Centre - Hive. The building’s transparent design and strategic, central location ensure optimal interaction. Unilever’s food experts, researchers and students, knowledge organisations, start-ups and other food sector companies gather here to work on healthy and sustainable food innovations. This cross-fertilisation is further facilitated by the fact that a large part of the building is publicly accessible.
See the unique Global Foods Innovation Centre from the inside
SEVEN FUNCTIONS UNDER ONE ROOF
Knowledge exchange is central at Hive. The building accommodates no fewer than seven functions: from office space and laboratories to a mini factory, a concept store, an atrium and a food and customer experience with test kitchens. The set-up allows for intensive cooperation, a great desire of Unilever’s.
In this new workspace, the food company can realise even more fundamental innovations to improve the world’s food systems. The innovation centre optimally supports Unilever in realising its ambitions.
ONE OF THE MOST SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS IN THE WORLD
The guiding principles for this intelligent and sustainable building were health, productivity, energy, materials and circularity. For example, all materials were selected based on circularity and origin, and 95% of the interior consists of recycled components.
Solar panels, solar cells, natural climate control and a thermal energy storage system ensure that the building functions as energy-efficiently as possible. With its use of daylight, views of greenery, air quality, acoustics and ergonomics, the building itself also contributes to the health and well-being of its users.
Dura Vermeer and Unilever’s integral design approach and intensive cooperation have been rewarded with the highest sustainability certification in the world: BREEAM-NL’s Outstanding design certificate.
“Our building has all the facilities to develop a variety of food innovations.”
Serpil Tascioglu, Director Global Food Innovation, Strategy & Transformation at Unilever
Multi-functional building
“How can we provide people with sustainable and healthy food – now, but also in 2050?” asked Serpil Tascioglu, Director Global Food Innovation, Strategy & Transformation at Unilever. In collaboration with Dura Vermeer, an open and transparent building was constructed with all the facilities needed to develop food innovations. Hive houses offices, laboratories, kitchens and a mini factory.
Maximum sustainability
Unilever wanted to realise a building with the highest degree of sustainability: a challenging ambition that Dura Vermeer was proud to incorporate in the construction project. The result is one of the most sustainable buildings in the world in which re-usable materials and components, renewable energy and minimal energy loss were utilised wherever possible. This resulted in attaining the certificate for the maximum level of sustainability: BREEAM-NL’s Outstanding certificate.
“We are proud to have realised one of the most sustainable buildings in the world.”
- Serpil Tascioglu, Director Global Food Innovation, Strategy & Transformation at Unilever
FEATURES
• 40,850 m2 • Design-build • New working environment for start-ups and consumers • Four floors with test kitchens, pilot plant, offices and laboratories • BREEAM-NL Outstanding design certificate