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Innovation Powerhouse in Eindhoven gaat echt paars gloeien

Innovation Powerhouse in Eindhoven is really going to glow purple.

Toast at the opening of Innovation Powerhouse, where design and innovation agency VanBerlo is the main tenant. From left to right: Frans Joziasse (PARK & Grow design management), founder Ad van Berlo, CEO Thomas Paulen of VanBerlo, and alderman Staf Depla (back right). © Michel Theeuwen

EINDHOVEN - Innovation Powerhouse, the former Power Plant at Strijp-T, is literally shining. A company specializing in city farming will be located on the top floor, practicing urban agriculture in an industrial building with continuous purple lighting. In the adjacent building TQ, companies such as 3D metal printer Additive Industries, urban heating company Ennatuurlijk, and C-Touch(screens) will be located.

Michel Theeuwen 26-10-17

This was announced by administrator Strijp-T BV on Thursday at the opening of the Innovation Powerhouse. The main user there is the design and innovation agency VanBerlo. In addition, the constructor Van de Laar has already moved in. The rest of the building is quickly being rented out, according to Boudie Hoogedeure from Strijp-T BV. Among others, to a company that will establish a kind of showroom for urban agriculture. The name will be announced later. The catering in the building is provided by East, a company that works with female expats and refugees. They provide a kitchen where East and West come together.

At the opening, founder and namesake Ad van Berlo showed his emotions. Since 2011, he had been full of energy working to transform the old power plant into a modern and sustainable 'ecosystem of innovative companies'. "They said it was a mission impossible. But we designers don't just accept things easily. We saw the endless possibilities. Fortunately, the owner, the Goevaers family, had the courage to join us. So we could transform this raw place into a cozy workplace where you would also want to spend your weekends."

Unique ecosystem
Alderman Staf Depla acknowledged that the municipality had no idea what to do with the power plant when they bought it in 2011. Fortunately, Van Berlo and Goevaers stepped in. "Because one thing is very clear. Without designers, this high-tech city would never be so successful." Depla was supported by Peter Wennink, the CEO of ASML. "Literally outside here is where ASML started. Why is it so successful? Because of the cooperative innovative network in Eindhoven. This ecosystem is unique. And in this development, which is now leading to Industry 4.0, robotics, we need designers. They will have to help with the societal challenge of including everyone in this development. We cannot do without Ad van Berlo and his company. They are the translators of future developments for the people. I predict that in 5 years everyone will want to be here, in Strijp, in Eindhoven. And this iconic building will be the center of it all."

Innovative
TR is ready, work on TQ is still ongoing. Nevertheless, Additive Industries hopes to move into the building between Zwaanstraat and Achtseweg Zuid in April. Currently, the company is located at Strijp-S, under the leadership street. Boudie Hoogedeure from Strijp-T is delighted with the tenant. "It is the prototype tenant that fits TQ: high tech, innovative, and a company that is scaling up." Additive will occupy one of the three industrial halls. Another hall is for C-Touch, which provides innovative solutions for touchscreens.

The biggest newcomer is the office of Ennatuurlijk, which provides district heating to 70,000 households in cities such as Eindhoven, Helmond, and Tilburg. Currently, the headquarters are in Best. The heat supplier will soon be located next to the old and new (bio)power plant at Strijp-T. In total, the company will occupy one and a half floors of office space. Also, the young high-tech company Flowid, which provides equipment for the (biological and chemical) process industry, is coming to TQ. Currently, it is temporarily housed in building TAB at Strijp-T.

Space
The building is specifically intended for successful companies that are outgrowing their current space at Strijp-S - or elsewhere in the city. In total, there are 20,000 square meters of office-like space and 10,000 square meters of industrial space available at TQ.

Currently, it is being heavily renovated. The former Philips building has been completely stripped and is now being equipped with new window frames and a completely new interior. The stairwells and elevators are also being extensively renovated. The central part is well underway, followed by the corner at Achtseweg Zuid. Shared facilities such as a gym, meeting rooms, and catering will be located on the ground floor and top floor of the corner building. Some of these facilities will also be open to the public. A rooftop garden with a pavilion for users will be built on the roof. Building TQ will be connected to TR, the former power plant of the 'kumpanie', via a footbridge - a pipeline bridge from the Philips era.

One of the floors of Strijp-TQ; some artworks from the Philips era are still hanging there. © Photo press agency van de Meulenhof bv

The top floor of building Strijp-TQ in Eindhoven, during the work on the exhibition at the Dutch Design Week. © Photo press agency van de Meulenhof bv

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