construction to start at european patent office by jean nouvel

construction is set to get underway in the netherlands at the site of the new european patent office (EPO) building near the hague. designed by jean nouvel, the 80,000 square meter development will provide a flexible and comfortable working environment for the organization’s 1,750 staff. standing at a height of 100 meters the structure will be a bold symbol of the EPO’s commitment to fostering innovation throughout europe.

the development will provide a flexible and comfortable working environment for the organization’s staff
all images © ateliers jean nouvel, dam & partners, new main B.V. – J.P. van eesteren, croon, wolter & dros and TBI

the almost transparent building floats effortlessly above the landscape, with glass and steel façades that allow the calm and serene structure to become part of the skyline. emerging from a landscaped body of water, the stainless steel entrance to the tower is flanked by flags of 45 european countries.

the stainless steel entrance to the tower is flanked by flags of 45 european countries

guests access the site by dipping under the water’s surface, before entering an expansive 6-meter tall lobby flooded with natural light. at the reception desk, a set of linear periscopic mirrors reflect the image of the horizon. offices are envisioned as open-plan environments that encourage interaction, communication and collaboration between workers. the ‘european patent office’ is set for completion in april 2017, with further landscaping to be completed by early 2019.

the expansive 6-meter tall lobby is flooded with natural light

the ‘european patent office’ is set for completion in april 2017

the structure will be a bold symbol of the EPO’s commitment to fostering innovation

elevation highlighting the tower’s entrance

the glazed façade floats effortlessly above the landscape

project info:

status: competition, winning project
location: rijswijk, the netherlands
client: european patent office (epo)
type of commission: competition architect, investor, constructor
program: offices, training center, opposition rooms, sport facilities, amical club, coffee corner, restaurant
net floor area: 41,000 sqm
gross floor area: 80,000 sqm

architectural team (joint venture)
constructor: TBI consortium new main (NL)
architect: jean nouvel – ateliers jean nouvel (FR)
associated architect: dam & partners architecten (NL)
project leader: jean-françois winninger
architects: kirsi marjamaki, bernard duprat, astrid hopfner, paolo carignano
interns: krystelle denis, kate fife, amber ma
graphics: eugénie robert, elise taponier, martin gasc, vatsana takham
interior design: ernesto mistretta, nicolas perrichi
landscape: laura giuliani
computer imagery: benjamin alcover, michael kafassis, mizuho kishi, michael gloudeman, sébastien rageul
models: romain caillon, rui pereira, ursula tyszkiewicz