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In Leiden, the new headquarters of SRON has been put into use. This Netherlands Institute for Space Research – part of NWO-I – was previously located in Utrecht. As part of the collaboration with Leiden University and Delft University of Technology, a new research facility has been built next to the Huygens Laboratory.
Starting in mid-2018, the design for the building—covering approximately 10,000 m² gross floor area—was rapidly developed, and in October 2019 Kuijpers-Medicomzes began construction. Within two years, the building was completed, featuring vibration-free laboratories, workshops, offices, an ultra-clean cleanroom, and a centrally located atrium.
SRON designs, builds, and tests instruments for space research, with each project being unique in terms of objectives, specifications, and performance. To produce this high-end equipment, the institute has a state-of-the-art instrument-making workshop and electronics workshops. A significant portion of the building is dedicated to a cleanroom for optical assembly, lithography, deposition, and microscopy. In addition, cryogenic laboratories have been set up for research at temperatures just above absolute zero.
Peutz has been involved in the design of the research building from the sketch phase onward. Together with the client, we developed a fire safety concept focused on employee safety and minimizing damage. For this reason, the building is equipped with an automatic extinguishing system in combination with an automatic detection system that issues a warning at the slightest disturbance in air quality.
In terms of building physics, notable aspects include the quality of the thermal envelope, the use of parametrically designed sunshading canopies, and the stringent energy efficiency requirements.
The metalworking workshops and the technical rooms for the cleanroom have been designed in such a way that no noise or vibration disturbance occurs in adjacent spaces. For the vibration-free laboratories and the cleanroom, a vibration-free floor has been designed to class VC-D.
Another challenge involved the low electromagnetic interference (EM fields) permitted in the laboratories. Due to the adjacent energy plant of Leiden University as an external source of disturbance, measurements were carried out on the site prior to the design process. Using AI algorithms, the optimal location for the EM-sensitive laboratories was determined.
During the construction phase, various verification measurements were carried out. For example, the most critical façade element was tested for water tightness and air permeability in our Building Physics Laboratory. In addition, several measurements were conducted to determine whether the electromagnetic emissions of the filter fan units would comply with the specified requirements for EM fields in the laboratories and cleanrooms.
The vibrations and noise from the CNC machines were assessed through measurements taken in the former premises. Based on a prediction model, specific provisions were recommended. For the wooden slats used in the atrium, a test was conducted in our Fire Safety Laboratory to determine whether they met the requirements for fire propagation and smoke production.
Naturally, inspections and measurements were carried out during various phases to verify whether the vibration-free floor had been correctly installed. At completion, a performance level of class VC-E was even measured, meaning the design target was more than achieved. The EM fields in the laboratories were also measured a few months after completion, confirming that the EMC requirements had been met.
The building was completed in July 2021. For some of the research equipment and workshops, the relocation process can take several months, from dismantling to verification. After that, the research facilities are ready to develop high-quality components and measuring instruments for space research.
