New conference building connects Amsterdam RAI with the city

Amsterdam RAI is to begin construction in October 2013 on a new multi-purpose conference, meeting and office building with a quality restaurant. The RAI made the announcement on the closing day of the PROVADA real estate trade fair. As a 'third-generation exhibition venue', this new addition to the RAI complex combines exhibition, conference and office facilities. The new building will give the RAI, as viewed from the centre of Amsterdam, a modern new face. It will be a fully-functional conference centre with a reception lounge, conference halls and breakout rooms, complemented by flexible office space on the upper floors. The building will also feature a full-service entrance to the adjacent exhibition halls (Halls 4 and 5).  The addition of a premium restaurant will complete the concept. The new building will be an extension to the Europa Hall, which was recently nominated as a national monument. The most striking element, next to the atrium, will be the building's 'green lung': an urban farming site that will supply the ground floor restaurant with vegetables and herbs. The design by Benthem Crouwel Architects will be realised on the city-centre side of the RAI (on the Scheldeplein square) and will strive for the BREEAM-NL Excellent label in sustainability.  BAM Utiliteitsbouw and Kropman Installatietechniek will be responsible for completing the progressive, multifunctional and sustainable building under the supervision of project office Res & Smit. This new facility, according to RAI, reflects its continued investment in sustainable growth and is designed to reinforce its position as an international leader in the conference sector. The new building is expected to be in service by 1 May 2015.