©Ronald Tilleman for European Patent Office

Introduction

The European Patent Offce (EPO) inaugurated its new premises in Rijswijk, near The Hague, in the presence of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands on 27 June 2018.

Financed entirely from the Offce's own resources, the new premises represent the EPA's largest single investment in its 40-year history in the Netherlands. With a budget of some EUR 205 million, this new architectural landmark was designed by renowned architects Ateliers Jean Nouvel of Paris and Dam & Partners Architects of Amsterdam - and Diederik Dam describes it as the slimmest and tallest glass and steel construction of its kind in Europe.

The EPA has deep historical roots in Rijswijk, and is now one of the EPA's most important sites both in terms of staffng and operations. The new building replaces the tower that hosted the offices of EPA staff in Rijswijk for the last 40 years, and before that, the EPA's forerunner organisation, the Institut International des Brevets (IIB).

The decision to construct a new building was a result of a firm resolution to provide EPA staff with a state-of-the-art workplace - one that would be sustainable, symbolise the EPA's commitment to supporting innovation in Europe, and underline its close ties with the Netherlands, and The Hague region in particular.

The new building enables the EPA to utilise greater synergies between its operational units in Rijswijk by bringing them together on one site. EPO staff will start working in the new building from autumn 2018, and the old tower will be taken out of service and dismantled from October 2018. With landscaping work to take place thereafter, the overall renewal of the site is expected to be completed in 2020.

©Ronald Tilleman for European Patent Office

Programme:

14:45-15:15 Check In (Please reserve time for ID and security check)

15:15-15:20 Welcome KIVI

15:20-15:40 Presentation EPO

15:40-16:20 Presentation Dam & Partners

16:20-17:20 Tour

17:20-17:30 Closing (including drinks)

Maximum number of participants: 40

Language presentation and tour: Dutch

ID required!

©Ronald Tilleman for European Patent Office