Building the future: The Innovation Pavilion at Marineterrein

Recognizing the need for change, the city of Amsterdam, in collaboration with innovative partners, have created an initiative to explore new strategies and materials that will change the way we build, the Innovation Pavilion. It works as a testing ground for innovative building materials, assessing how they withstand the test of time and weather.

Biobased innovation 
A significant portion of the materials used in the Innovation Pavilion is biobased. These materials are derived from fungi, algae, plants, bacteria, and animal sources. The beauty of biobased materials lies in their sustainability and usability, making them circular in nature. 

Innovative façade materials
The exterior walls of the pavilion serve as a canvas for testing innovative materials. Some are still in the experimental phase, like seaweed as a replacement for plaster, envisioning future possibilities, while others have already found their place in the commercial market.
One example is the use of reed fiber and resin to cover a portion of the facade, complemented by a core constructed from recycled wood fiber panels. Noteworthy is the consideration that has been given to birds and insects in the design by creating holes in the façade for nesting.  

Testing the limits
The core of the exploration lies in understanding how these innovative materials respond to external conditions. All participants assess not only how materials fare against the elements but also how they influence the internal climate of the pavilion. The pilot phase lasts one year, until September 2024 when results will be presented.

MSc MADE
AMS Institute gives students the opportunity to get involved in the research the Innovation Pavilion offers through MSc MADE. Our students can assist the municipality and the different organizations by Living Lab research and theses. Building an innovative and sustainable future.