Today is a milestone for Amsterdam UMC. After a construction period of some 2.5 years, the ADORE Research & Diagnostics Center at location VUmc was officially completed. In this research center, top scientists from Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Neuroscience will soon work together to develop new treatments for cancer and brain diseases, which is unique in Europe. The diagnostic laboratories of Human Genetics and Pathology will also be housed here.

Atrium – the beating heart of the building

With a total area of approximately 22,800 m², the Research & Diagnostics Center ADORE houses state-of-the-art laboratories and office spaces. A large glass atrium connects the building to the Amsterdam UMC Imaging Center, making meeting and collaborating easy. From Van der Boechorststraat, the atrium is the main entrance for both the Research & Diagnostics Center ADORE and the Amsterdam UMC Imaging Center. Patients for the Imaging Center can also access through this entrance. The special, patchwork-like tile floor in the atrium deserves an honorable mention.

The Atrium of the ADORE building

Courtyard

The heart of the Research & Diagnostics Center ADORE is on the second floor. There, a large patio called the courtyard provides daylight to the offices located in the middle of the building. A beautiful, characteristic spiral staircase connects the upper floors. The second floor will also house a flexible conference room.

Sustainability

The Research & Diagnostics Center ADORE is the first building at Amsterdam UMC to feature a thermal energy storage system. This sustainable method stores energy in the form of heat or cold in the ground and is used to heat and/or cool the building. In the basement, a transport lane has been constructed, along with special rooms for pathological research.

Additionally, the roof will serve as a water buffer, collecting rainwater after heavy rainfall and gradually draining it into the sewer system to prevent overflow. The roof will also be covered with solar panels, and the windows will be made of low-carbon glass. Thanks in part to these measures, this building is 25 percent more sustainable than the requirements for a nearly zero-energy building.

ADORE concept

The ADORE Research & Diagnostics Center will be the new workplace for researchers and scientists affiliated with the ADORE concept, affiliated with both Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Neuroscience. This initiative aims to join forces between the research disciplines of oncology and neuroscience to develop new insights and treatments against cancer and brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research recently made 9 million euros available for the ADORE concept. Soon, thanks to the’ Largest Bingo Ever’ of the ‘VriendenLoterij’, ADORE can expect even more financial support.

Official opening

From November to the middle of next year, researchers will move into the new research building. The official opening of the Research & Diagnostics Center ADORE is planned after the final move around the second quarter of 2025.

Get an impression on the Research & Diagnostics Center:

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