Palace Soestdijk has not been occupied by members of the Royal Family for some time. A new destination was therefore sought. Various parties were allowed to submit ideas for the redevelopment. Made by Holland was ultimately the highest bidder and is converting the location into a 'platform for innovation'.
The plan all started with the ambition to showcase the innovation of the Netherlands. This will soon be particularly noticeable in the park around Soestdijk Palace; this will be a testing ground where innovation can be seen and experienced. The palace itself provides space for exhibitions. In the wings and buildings in the park, companies and knowledge organisations can present their latest innovations to a wide audience. These include water management, agriculture and food, design and sustainable energy.
Manufacturing industry
This means that, among other things, the Dutch manufacturing industry will have a prominent place in the former residence of the royal family. Made By Holland wrote a comprehensive rezoning plan for Soestdijk Palace. In it, it says, among other things: "We are creating a stage for the innovative power and excellence of our manufacturing and knowledge industry. We see Soestdijk's historical qualities as a wonderful basis for a programme in which we make this power tangible. And tangible we mean literally: innovation becomes an experience for all senses."
Made by Holland thinks it can fill a social need with its new plans. "Dutch companies, scientific institutes and Knowledge organisations distinguish themselves internationally with those competences, in multiple fields: from water management to offshore, from agriculture and food to fashion and design, from sustainable energy to gaming. At Soestdijk, they present themselves to each other and to all Dutch people. Renowned parties and start-ups come into contact with each other and with investors there. In this way, Made By Holland puts the spotlight on the innovative power and excellent performance of Dutch companies and knowledge organisations. New initiatives are given a place and thus made accessible to a wide audience, to business target groups and also to investors in young talent and foreign trade partners. We also want to award the annual Made By Holland prize to the best young innovator here soon."
Four themes
The four categories that initially play a central role in Made by Holland are water management, energy and sustainability, agriculture and food, and health and life sciences. Within these frameworks, a number of examples were given of innovations that will soon be on show. Those mentioned include a mirror path, water miracles, ice cellar, hanging gardens and a robot-driven greenhouse system.
Besides innovation spaces, there will be hotel rooms and catering facilities. Housing will also eventually be built on the site of the old military barracks. Events will also remain a regular feature.
The Made By Holland consortium consists of Meyer Bergman Investments B.V., Beheer- en Exploitatiemaatschappij Westergasfabriek B.V., consultancy firm Hylkema Consultants and Leeuwenpoort Ontwikkeling B.V.
By: Kelly Bakker
Source: West8
