A living, breathing building
As sustainable as possible, in as many respects as possible: that was the imperative when the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) commissioned a new building. And we have done it!
Since 2011, NIOO's researchers have been working in new headquarters with laboratories and offices surrounded by greenhouses, experimental ponds and a range of other facilities. It’s a testing ground for the latest ecotechnology: take for instance the experimental green roof, the innovative application of solar power or the unconventional approach to wastewater treatment.
Closing cycles
Cradle to Cradle philosophy has been an important source of inspiration. The ambition is to close as many different cycles (energy, water, nutrients) as possible. This can be done thanks to new (not yet fully developed) techniques in the areas of energy generation, sustainable energy use, water treatment technology, material selection and CO2 emissions. Maximizing biodiversity within the grounds is another important consideration. These things together make up what may be called ’integrated sustainability’, going far beyond a focus on just one or two individual aspects.
Lessons learned
The building has fast become an architectural eye-catcher that showcases the ecological research within its grounds. One of the most sustainable buildings in the Netherlands, it is often held up as an example. NIOO is happy to share its experiences, in the form of ‘lessons learned’ during the construction progress, the information on this website and through personal exchanges. In doing so, we remain true to the nature of our scientific institute: there is so much to learn from nature! Meanwhile, the building and its natural environment will continue to evolve.
Why the move?
Two former branches of NIOO – one based in Heteren, the other in Nieuwersluis – were in urgent need of a new, significantly larger research complex. The move has also facilitated the ecologists’ collaborations with other organisations, as the new location is a stone’s throw from the campus of Wageningen UR and a number of ‘green’ knowledge organisations.
For further reading:
Closing cycles
Sun and energy
Boosting biodiversity
NIOO is eager to share it is scientific work through popular-scientific publications, at conferences and events. We organise an Open Day every three years where everyone's welcome, and it's also possible to visit the building for a guided tour.
Limited availability
However, tours are strictly limited, and are only possible under certain conditions. That's because the primary process of our scientific work comes first - as we hope you'll understand.
Tours are only for groups - not individuals - and they look at our unique building specifically in the context of our ecological research.
Requesting tours
If you would like to request a tour, you can contact s.bekker@nioo.knaw.nl. Please include details such as the reason you'd like to visit NIOO, possible date(s) and the number of people in your group.
Please note that your application does not yet guarantee a tour. We will contact you as soon as possible!
Jet Bussemaker presents the 2012 Golden
Pyramid Award to Louise Vet (NIOO-KNAW)
The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) has racked up an impressive collection of awards and nominations for its building:
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2018 – Nomination for the WKO Sustainability Award (1 of 5) for head of NIOO's technical services section Wim Verdonk
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2016 – Shortlisted for the National Icons, a Dutch government intiative to support innovative projects with great social and economic potential
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2015 – Runner-up for best building of the past 25 years in terms of building physics – Dutch-Flemish Building Physics Association (NVBV)
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2013 – Best project on the Wageningen Solar City Tour (as chosen by the participants) / Wageningen voted Solar City 2013 / Nomination (1 of 5) for the 2013 Solar Tours Trophy
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2013 – Nederlandse Bouwprijs (Dutch Construction Award) in the category 'Buildings'
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2013 – Longlisted for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award (1 of 335, from 37 countries)
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2012 – Houtarchittectuurprijs (Wood Architecture Award)
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2012 – Gouden Piramide (Golden Pyramid), state prize for excellence in commissioning work in architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, infrastructure and physical planning – Dutch Ministries of Infrastructure and Environment, Interior and Education, Culture and Science, and Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation
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2012 – FIABCI Prix d’Excellence The Netherlands, in the category ‘Sustainable Development’
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2012 – Nomination for Glas Award (1 of 5), biennial prize for outstanding and innovative sheet glass projects – Glass Brache Organisation (GBO)
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2011 – Duurzame Architectuur Award (Sustainable Architecture Award), in the category 'Most Sustainable Gebruiker’
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2011 – Nomination (1 of 4) for Duurzaamste Bedrijfsgebouw (Most Sustainable Office Building) – VARA radio/tv programme 'Vroege Vogels' (Early Birds) together with technology magazine 'De Ingenieur' (The Engineer)
- Agentschap NL
- Ahrend
- Archisupport
- Arup - Adviseur Constructies
- BetonRestore
- Boot organiserend ingenieursburo - Terreinontwerp
- Bouwbedrijf Berghege
- Burgers Ergon installatietechniek
- Centraal Bureau Bouwtoezicht
- Claus en Kaan Architecten
- Cofely - Klimaatkamers
- Consolidated / Daklab
- DeSaH BV - Vergistingsinstallatie, Vacuümtoiletten
- DGMR
- Drefa - Labmeubilair
- DWA installatie- en energieadvies
- Ecofyt
- Energie Totaal Projecten - HT-bronnen
- Gemeente Wageningen
- IF Technology - Koude- en Warmte Opslag, Hogetemperatuuropslag
- Imtech Building Services b.v. - Electrotechnische installaties
- IngrePro B.V.
- Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (KNAW)
- Lek installatietechniek BV - Kassenbouw
- MB koeltechniek - Geklimatiseerde volières
- Metos - Keukeninrichting
- Nederlands Instituut voor Ecologie (NIOO-KNAW)
- Plant-e - Plantenstroom
- Plato International B.V.
- Provincie Gelderland
- Saint-Gobain - Beglazing
- Saint-Gobain Glass | Interior Glass Solutions (SGG | IGS) - Binnenpuien
- Stichting Heg-en-Landschap
- Stiho
- SunCycle
- Van Harten - Terreininrichting
- Wageningen UR
- Waterschap Vallei & Eem
- Wepro - Staalconstructie geklimatiseerde volières
Downloads
Attachment Size 
Brochure.pdf2.17 MB 'Lessons Learned'.pdf1.69 MB Paper: learning from nature.pdf379.88 KB
