What began as an ambition and a glimpse into the future became a reality on February 27th. Over 70 interested parties toasted yesterday to a circular showcase built by students at Campus Groningen. The showcase is named 'ROAM', which is Grunnegs for window. It is a self-sufficient and circular building, designed and built by vocational and higher education students, and serves as a meeting place for education, research, businesses, and visitors. The building, located at Zernikelaan 17, near the Energy Barn, is constructed from sustainable materials sourced from donor buildings and is largely energy-independent.
Edward van der Meer, director of Campus Groningen, together with Dick Pouwels (chairman of the Executive Board of Hanze), opened showcase ROAM. "At Campus Groningen, we work on the world of tomorrow. Innovations are conceived, tested, and disseminated here. To make these innovations visible, spaces have been created on the Campus where these innovations can find a place. A place to discover all the beautiful things being developed, to get inspired, and to meet each other," said Edward van der Meer.
"At Campus Groningen, we work on the world of tomorrow. Innovations are conceived, tested, and disseminated here. To make these innovations visible, spaces have been created on the Campus where these innovations can find a place. A place to discover all the beautiful things being developed, to get inspired, and to meet each other."
Edward van der Meer director Campus Groningen
During the festive opening, Edward van der Meer and Dick Pouwels officially opened showcase ROAM. Symbolically, they attached the last letter 'O' to the building. Dick Pouwels is proud of this milestone: "The unique collaboration we have here in Groningen is visible in this place. This 'O' symbolizes the circle of creation and circularity. What is unique about this building is that it is entirely built from donor buildings. It is completely reused. It's wonderful to see everything come together and the circle of sustainable collaboration and development complete."
"The unique collaboration we have here in Groningen is visible in this place. This 'O' symbolizes the circle of creation and circularity. What is unique about this building is that it is entirely built from donor buildings. It is completely reused. It's wonderful to see everything come together and the circle of sustainable collaboration and development complete."
Dick Pouwels chairman of the Executive Board of Hanze
With the opening of ROAM, the programming of Academie Minerva also begins, presenting an exhibition in collaboration with Innovation Hub East Groningen (IHOG). IHOG is a collaboration between Hanze, the University of Groningen, and five companies (Avebe, Hempflax, Nedmag, Zechsal, and Ten Kate). The showcase displays the results of research by Minerva student Inge van der Ham into potato starch as a natural binder, combined with hemp fibers. This material, together with magnesium, is used to design tables, chairs, and lamps, which will soon be on display in ROAM.
ROAM can be admired at Zernikelaan 17 on Campus Groningen. More information about the exhibition and programming throughout the year? Visit www.campus.groningen.nl/ROAM. Want to take a look inside ROAM? Contact the servicepoint of Entrance: +31 (0)50 595 6500.
ROAM is an innovative pavilion entirely constructed from sustainable materials sourced from donor buildings and is largely energy-independent. The building offers space for exhibitions, work, and meeting places and serves as a window to the innovations of the future. ROAM stands for a glimpse into the future, where innovation, sustainability, and collaboration come together. The pavilion serves as a window (Grunnegs: raam) to the innovations of the world of tomorrow, a place where you can wander and discover.
Source article: Campus Groningen
Photo's: Lisa J. Bommerson and Amber van der Schaaf
Who is developing the most impactful innovation in Life Sciences & Health in the Northern Netherlands? Five companies are in the running for the LIFE Science Innovation Award 2026: Flux Robotics, Limosa Immunodiagnostics, SPCTR, MimeCure and GlycanScan International. The nominees will present their innovations on Tuesday 22 September during the fifth edition of the LIFE Science Conference in Groningen. An independent jury will select the winner, who will receive a €10,000 cash prize.
A much-loved tradition The Campus Trail has become a much-loved tradition on campus. Students, employees and professionals from companies and organisations across the campus ecosystem lace up their running shoes for a sporty 6.4-kilometre route through buildings and past some of the campus’s unique labs. The rapid growth in registrations shows just how much the Campus Trail has become part of the campus community. The combination of sport, meeting others and the unique campus setting makes the run a great opportunity to connect with people outside the usual work and study environment. And there’s no need to head home as soon as you cross the finish line. During the after-party, hosted by Contini Catering, participants can relax together, enjoy a drink and celebrate the afternoon. There’s still time to join: those who want to take part can register online until 3 September, or sign up on the day itself using the PIN Campus Trail 2026 | Campus Groningen.
ZonMw is expected to open the final call for proposals within the PharmaNL Shared Development Infrastructure (SDI) program line. This program line focuses on strengthening the infrastructure for the development, upscaling, and production of innovative medicines in the Netherlands.
