The vertical greenhouse city farming in the Amtrium, RAI Amsterdam's new exhibition and convention building, was presented with the Ingenious Award 2015 on Thursday 18 March 2015. The award is an initiative by the Dutch association for engineers and engineering students (KIVI) and the Dutch association of consulting engineers.
The jury was particularly impressed by the way the building reflects a new perspective on urban construction in the 21st century and the way that the RAI's ideas are enabling abstract concepts to be translated into concrete form. The restaurant of the new building will shortly be serving meals containing fresh vegetables and herbs grown in its own greenhouse. The Amtrium will be taken into use in May.
The design team, which includes RAI Amsterdam, Benthem Crouwel Architects and Nelissen ingenieursbureau, have embraced this idea and translated it into an integrated design. According to the jury: "The societal value, the future-oriented vision and the fact that RAI Amsterdam has had the courage to be the first company to realise such a design, combined with technical features such as the humidification with rain water, controlled ventilation and plant growth, have led us to award the Amtrium the Vernufteling – Dutch for ingenious -award."
Ingenious benefits
The city farming greenhouse will contribute to the air quality in the building as part of a new form of urban agriculture which is unique in the Netherlands and gives visitors to the building and local vicinity a new way of identifying with food cultivation. In addition, this ingenious greenhouse will provide the restaurant with genuinely fresh products and a range of other practical benefits.
GreenTech Summit
On Tuesday 9 June 2015, speakers and delegates from around the world will gather in the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre for the first GreenTech Summit. This exclusive, invitation-only conference for industry leaders and influencers in the horticulture industry will discuss the theme: 'What’s next for Green Horticulture?'. Delegates will have the opportunity to visit the vertical greenhouse.
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About GreenTech
GreenTech is the global meeting place for all professionals involved in horticulture technology. GreenTech focuses on the early stages of the horticulture chain and production issues relevant to growers.
The GreenTech Summit will be held on 9 June 2015. The next GreenTech trade show will take place 14-15-16 June 2016. Both events are organized by and take place at RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre.
