Start of construction of cleanroom for TNO at High Tech Campus Eindhoven

Construction of the ‘HTC 12’ cleanroom, a crucial facility for Europe in the field of advanced photonic technology, will start this week. This cleanroom is the world’s first industrial factory for the production of indium phosphide photonic chips on a 6-inch wafer scale.

We are honored to have been asked to design this cleanroom for High Tech Campus Eindhoven and TNO. With a ceremonial kick-off by Henna Virkkunen (European Commission) and Ministers Heleen Herbert and Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, our project team was also present today to celebrate the start of construction.

By combining research and production at the same location, this cleanroom accelerates the route from concept to concrete applications for the market and supports the development of energy-efficient AI data centers, 6G networks, medical innovations, and supercomputers.

What makes this project extra special for us is the speed with which it was realized. In just ten weeks, we worked with the client, users, and consultants to develop an integrated design from the initial vision. How do you design a cleanroom that is strictly regulated, but at the same time offers an inspiring and well-organized workplace?

Thanks to our experience in cleanroom design, we were able to translate the complexity of the primary process into a user-friendly and functional design. In co-creation sessions with High Tech Campus Eindhoven, TNO, and the team of consultants from Deerns Nederland and Adviesbureau Tielemans BV, we combined all our knowledge into an integrated design.

The result? A cleanroom in which the flow of equipment is logical, employees can make optimal use of the available space, and where meetings are possible, even within the strict protocols and regulations.

The design focused on an efficient and future-proof layout. Spaces are logically organized around the research and production workflow, allowing employees to work smoothly. At the same time, the building has a flexible layout, so it can easily grow with future developments in technology.

We are proud to have been able to realize this design: a well-thought-out building that supports technology and innovation, optimally facilitates employees, and contributes to the development of photonic chips. This is an important step for the technological independence of the Netherlands and Europe.