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

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

On the roof of Innovation Powerhouse TR, the former Philips power station, bees are housed. Beekeeper Dirk De Brouwere (40) mustered up the courage and presented his plans to Boudie Hoogedeure, who was only too happy to go along.

Biodiversity, sustainability and ecology: these are terms that Hoogedeure, part of the development team of Strijp-T, regularly utters. And not without reason. It is his motivation to turn the business park into a place 'that people can enjoy'. ,,It has to become a sustainable environment here. I think we are well 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 for several years has been living on Strijp-R, passed the business park regularly. "I think Innovation Powerhouse TR is the most iconic building in Eindhoven. I knew there was a beekeeper on Notre-Dame in Paris. Then I thought: shouldn't that be possible here too?" He approached Hoogedeure, who then threw the door wide open. Because of the coronavirus outbreak there was some interference on the line, but since September two bee hotels have finally been installed on the roof.

Ecosystem
De Brouwere, who in his daily life works 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's always something happening with bees, which makes the work as a beekeeper varied and therefore enjoyable." Anticipating the situation, De Brouwere calls that.

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

Curious about the genuine Eindhoven honey? The product is offered at Eten zonder Streken, a local specialty shop in Philipsdorp. De Brouwere doesn't have to make any money from it; he has long enjoyed being able to pursue his hobby on the special roof.

source.