The European Investment Bank (EIB) – the financial institution that provides long-term public financing for projects in line with the European Union’s policy objectives – has chosen to expand its headquarters in Luxembourg with a third modern building designed by Mecanoo and Buro Happold that meets all sustainability criteria and reflects its values.
The departure point for the design of the new European Investment Bank (EIB) is the connection between the green valley north of the site and the urban European administration quarter to the south. The building and its exterior public space express the fundamental values of the European Union and the EIB: respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law.
By weaving itself into the adjacent landscape and urban fabric, the building establishes new physical and visual connections. Together with the enhanced public space, the new building unifies the EIB campus and articulates a very clear identity for the European Investment Bank.
As many as 2200 square metres of photovoltaic panels will be installed on the roof and some facades, capable of generating up to 374MWh per year. The building’s thermal envelope will ensure maximum energy efficiency and all energy sources will be renewable and certified. In terms of sustainable mobility, the building will be equipped with charging stations for electric cars (60 charging points on a total of 250 spaces, with the aim of converting the car parks to 100% electric in the next few years) and parking spaces for soft mobility (for about 180 bicycles and scooters).
General contractor Rizzani de Eccher was awarded the contract for the construction of a new Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB), a project that has already received an ‘Excellent’ rating under the BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method). IDOM, a multidisciplinary architecture and engineering group, developed the construction engineering and will also supervise the works on behalf of the client, playing the institutional role of FIDIC Engineer. The project will be built by Rizzani de Eccher in a joint venture with the Dutch Ballast Nedam group. Construction work started in August 2022 for an expected duration of three years.