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MVRDVs new demountable science building has over 120,000 reusable components

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Image: MVRDV / Daria Scagliola
The construction of the MVRDV project Matrix ONE, a laboratory and office building in the heart of the Amsterdam Science Park, has been completed.
The six-story, 13,000-square-foot building is the largest of seven buildings that now make up the Matrix Innovation Center, a place where scientists and entrepreneurs can develop sustainable solutions to current and future problems.
Image: MVRDV / Daria Scagliola
As the central hub of the center, Matrix ONE wants to be a role model for the other buildings in the Amsterdam Science Park. The building was designed to be dismountable, with connections such as screws and bolts allowing elements to be detached and reused. In addition, the floors are made of prefabricated concrete slabs without fixed connections.
Image: MVRDV / Daria Scagliola
The Madaster platform was used to provide a material passport system that registers all materials and products installed in the building. It gives insight into the carbon storage of over 120,000 individual components. According to MVRDV, over 90% of building materials can be reused.
Image: MVRDV / Daria Scagliola
Matrix ONE acts as the central social hub of the campus. This is punctuated by a large social staircase located next to the main entrance on the south corner of the building. It is designed as a continuation of the zigzag paths throughout campus.
Image: MVRDV / Daria Scagliola
The stairwell features tribune-style seating for presentations, tables for informal meetings, and coffee stations. The interior design of the room is highlighted with lush green walls and soft felt surfaces that reduce sound reverberation. The building also houses a 100-seat auditorium.
Image: MVRDV / Daria Scagliola
There are over 10,750 square meters of solar panels on the roof, which generate part of the buildings energy. Internet-connected lighting and heating devices help reduce energy consumption. The building also encourages healthier behaviors by encouraging people to use the stairs instead of the elevators located deeper in the building.
Image: MVRDV / Daria Scagliola
There is also a bicycle parking area accessible via a side entrance at the back of the building. Taken together, these sustainability and health strategies contribute to Matrix ONEs BREEAM Excellent certification.
Image: MVRDV / Daria Scagliola
Matrix ONE gave us an excellent opportunity to test a number of the CO2 reduction strategies that we have long been investigating at MVRDV, said MVRDV partner Frans de Witte. The building is now state-of-the-art, but also takes into account the fact that the state of the art is constantly changing. Thats why we designed both the interiors and the technical installations that serve them to be as flexible as possible; Offices can easily be converted to labs and vice versa, and labs can be easily upgraded with new systems to meet changing standards. In the coming decades, when the building is no longer up to date, it will become a source of material for other buildings. We hope that in the future all buildings will work like this and we are excited that Matrix ONE will become the benchmark in our own office.
Watch the video below for an illustration of Matrix ONEs circular approach.
Video courtesy of MVRDV/YouTube.

Friday, May 26, 2023 at 2:05 am

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