The European Patent Office (EPO) in The Hague houses the world's largest collection of patents. As an institution, it protects and preserves the intellectual property of scientists, researchers and engineers in Europe. The architectural response to such an institution is a design that is innovative and at the same time stands for solidity and timelessness.
The new EPO building meets these requirements with a quiet but distinctive architecture. The building consists of three towers, each with a square floor plan of 30x30m and slightly asymmetrical to each other. They rise above the entrance podium, which forms the horizontal access. Each tower has 26 storeys connected by pedestrian bridges. The external façade is completely glazed and gives the building its distinctive appearance. The view - which can be admired above all from the public roof terrace - is also spectacular.
The EPO Campus should not be a pure working environment. The well-being of the EPO staff should be improved through individuality, places for encounter and communication and contact with nature. Cafeterias, canteens and sports facilities therefore form an important part of the campus. A garden on the roof of the entrance podium, accessible by public elevators, offers places for spontaneous communication and relaxation.