Cross-pollination on roof of Innovation Powerhouse on Strijp-T

Biodiversity, sustainability and ecology: these are terms that Hoogedeure, part of the development team of Strijp-T, regularly uses. And not without reason. It is his motivation to make the business park a place 'where people can enjoy it'. "It has to become a sustainable environment here. I think we're quite on our way, with, among other things, the Gloeilampplantsoen and the green roof of about 1,400 square meters."

That's not all. Belgian De Brouwere, who has been living on Strijp-R for several years, passed the business park regularly. "I find Innovation Powerhouse TR the most iconic building in Eindhoven. There's a beekeeper on Notre-Dame in Paris, I knew. Then I thought: that must be possible here too?" He approached Hoogedeure, who then threw the door wide open. Because of the corona outbreak there was some noise on the line, but since September two bee hotels have finally been installed on the roof.

Ecosystem
De Brouwere, in his daily life working at ASML, thinks it's fantastic that he is allowed to 'mess around a bit' on this roof, as he describes his work as a beekeeper. "They are incredibly important for our ecosystem. There is always something going on with bees, which makes beekeeping varied and therefore fun." Anticipating the situation, De Brouwere calls it.

At the moment of speaking there are few bees to be seen in the sealed-off hotels. Every now and then one pops around the corner. That's not surprising, says De Brouwere, who took an amateur beekeeper course three years ago. "The flowering season is over, then they go into their hive. Into hibernation. Now they are living off their winter stores. These are quiet weeks, like that."

Curious about the real Eindhoven honey? The product is offered at Eten zonder Streken, a local shop in the Philipsdorp. De Brouwere doesn't have to earn anything from it; he's long enjoyed being able to pursue his hobby on the unique roof.