The Evoluon is one of the best-known Dutch icons of modernist techno-optimism. It was designed as a permanent exhibition center, a showcase for technological progress, to put Eindhoven on the world map of innovation. The original design of the building and the surrounding park was conceived and presented to the city of Eindhoven in 1966 on the occasion of Philips’ 75th anniversary.
After decades of slow fading of former glory, the Eindhoven municipality commissioned LOLA to study the potential transformation of the Evoluon Park, to reconnect it to the, to double its size by merging it with the adjacent Oppenheimer Park, and to add complementary built program. With the city’s recent purchase of the Wielewaal Park, and the potential future downgrade of the Tilburgseweg, the Evoluon Park could become the start of a new green wedge, connecting the city center to the heathlands and meadows surrounding the city.
Evolving is growing. Not only in time and structure, but also in growing towards a richer, more complete, and better world. With new owners and users, the Evoluon is to become a museum on the future of the earth, that will show the relationship between man and nature. The park will be programmed in the same spirit and should evolve into both a popular city park and a destination for tech lovers. A nature-based forum for exposition, education, intellectual exchange, and innovative business.
Client: Gemeente Eindhoven
Partners: Lichtstad Evoluon BV, Hurks, Next Nature Network
