Danone, the international foodstuffs company of French origin, now wishes to concentrate its diverse R&D activities, previously spread across various European countries, at the Science Park in Utrecht. This Park is rapidly developing into the focus of scientific research and knowledge-intensive activity in the field of Life Sciences. In the new building, more than four hundred employees will devote their endeavours to researching medical and baby food.

The programme contains various elements, including a pilot plant, laboratories, offices, storage capacity, a conference centre, a cafe and a restaurant. The design is directed toward creating an open, dynamic and inspiring environment with high comfort and a great degree of functionality. It provides much spatial diversity with long sightlines, so that users can orient themselves easily within the building as well as enjoying the numerous internal and external views. The main structure consists of a quadrangular ground plan with two slanting sides, in which two large cut-outs function as atria. As such, the building has three main bays. A gallery with air bridges that span the atria is a part of the logistical routing on the storeys.

In addition to long vistas and a varied experience, the spatial structure also guarantees diverse and efficient use of space, in which the floor areas can be freely partitioned. A so-called ‘plaza’ extends across a substantial part of the first storey and also contains the floors of both atria. A skybar functions as an extension to the plaza underneath. The double-height plinth is entirely transparent so that the building acquires an inviting allure and also offers a view of the activities within. Above this, the building is horizontally articulated in an alternation of dark façade bands and high, frameless glass strips. In line with cepezed traditions, the design is based on a strongly rational pattern and has been wholly realized with the aid of prefab construction elements. This is one of the reasons why it has achieved a BREEAM certificate of excellence for sustainability.