Strijp-T continues where S ends.

The gigantic building TQ. © PhotoMeulenhof

EINDHOVEN - The old Philips factory site Strijp-T is undergoing a major renovation to become more sustainable and greener. The eye-catcher, the building TQ, will have tenants of various kinds.

Michel Theeuwen 21-09-17, 08:28

High-tech manufacturing companies, creative startups, and shared (hospitality) facilities for the business park Strijp-T. There will soon be space for all of this in building TQ, with 40,000 square meters - about six soccer fields - one of the largest buildings in Eindhoven. It consists of three large production halls totaling 10,000 square meters and many office-like spaces (20,000 m2) on the floors. The ground floor will be reserved for publicly accessible facilities, such as a gym and hospitality. "This should become the center or hostess of Strijp-T. So that those who take their lunch walk on Strijp-S can also extend it to Strijp-T," said Boudie Hoogedeure from the Marketing and Acquisition team of Strijp-T. On the top floor, with a beautiful view over the city, there will be a canteen for all users and a flexible office space.

Rauwer
Strijp-T is the operating company of owner GEVA BV from Best. In recent years, the company has acquired more and more properties on the former Philips site between Zwaanstraat and Achtseweg Zuid. "Strijp-T has a more industrial look, factory buildings are still in use, it is a bit rougher than S. We have decided not to develop each building separately, but the entire area. Driven by love for the buildings, preservation and reuse became the starting point," Hoogedeure explains.

The first buildings have already been 'transformed'. For example, the former pump house TAQ has been converted for Settels Savenije Group and the TAB has been rented out to creative companies such as Kragt Groep.

But the most important change so far is the transformation of the TR energy plant (with the two chimneys) into the Innovation Powerhouse for design agency Van Berlo and other companies. "We expect to have the spaces rented out by the end of this year. Then TQ can come into play," said Hoogedeure.

Sustainable
Building TQ was built by Philips in 1960 for the Products for Industrial Applications department. Successful companies such as Philips Medical Systems, NXP, and ASML later emerged here. Now, the gigantic building TQ is being largely stripped and extensively renovated, but it retains its industrial appearance. Unlike Strijp-S, there will be no residential buildings on the industrial estate. All window frames are being replaced with aluminum frames with double glazing. The building will be equipped with a heat pump instead of gas-fired central heating, LED lighting will be installed everywhere, and underfloor heating will be installed. Solar panels will be placed on the roof. All these changes together will earn the building the highest sustainability label. There will also be underpasses leading to the Incandescent Lamp Square. TQ and the power plant will also be connected to each other via a footbridge - an old pipeline bridge.

The surroundings of the company buildings are being redesigned and further greened. Hoogedeure hopes to create the first new 'avenue' before the Dutch Design Week, so that visitors can walk directly from Torenallee on Strijp-S to the front of TQ for a first glimpse.

Addition
TQ will not be a competitor for the TU Campus, the High Tech Campus, Strijp-S, or the upcoming Brainport Industries Campus. "This is the missing link, a complement, we will strengthen each other. A student from the TU who wants to start a company often begins at the university campus. Then, they grow to Strijp-S or HTC, but at the moment when, for example, prototypes need to be built, as a growing company, you will end up at Strijp-T. T literally continues where S stops. Companies can continue to grow here. And if they become too big? Then BIC comes into view, or we can still realize new construction here at Strijp-T, there is space for that," explained Hoogedeure.

Hoogedeure emphasizes that the distinction between commercial space and office space in TQ is increasingly disappearing. "We have been designated by the government as a pilot project to work with the municipality to create a new type of zoning plan, in anticipation of the new environmental law. We want to move away from lists of types of businesses that are allowed or not allowed here. Who wants a tannery to be located here? Instead, we need to have a discussion about which activities we do and do not want to allow in order to strengthen Brainport, regardless of whether they are carried out in an office or a commercial environment."

Artist's impression of the new Strijp-T, with building TQ behind the Gloeilampplantsoen and the Innovation Powerhouse (TR) on the left. © Strijp-T

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