Plus Ultra Utrecht

The first edition of FHI Life Science Live will take place on May 19, 2026, in the Plus Ultra building in Utrecht. Upon entering the Utrecht Science Park, the building immediately catches the eye as a striking silhouette amidst research institutes, university buildings, and hospital campuses.

Plus Ultra Utrecht is more than a building. It is a new innovation ecosystem that gives a powerful boost to the growth of Life Sciences & Health in the Netherlands. With its bright atrium, characteristic wooden facade, and community-driven programming, it symbolizes a campus in transition: from a monofunctional knowledge cluster to a vibrant, multidisciplinary city within a city.

From vision to accelerator

The demand for high-quality, flexible laboratories has increased sharply in recent years. Fast-growing biotech companies and medtech start-ups need space to efficiently scale up their R&D activities. Plus Ultra Utrecht is Kadans' answer.[1] To that question: a multi-tenant innovation hub that brings together start-ups, scale-ups, and established companies at one of the most competitive science parks in Europe.

The timing of the project was deliberately chosen. Utrecht Science Park is transforming into a mixed residential, work, and research area, in which collaboration and exchange are central. Long-term development visions of the university and the municipality emphasize housing construction, improved connections, and sustainable area development. In that context, a community-driven innovation building like Plus Ultra Utrecht fits seamlessly.[2]

Designed for flexibility and the future

Construction officially started on April 13, 2023, marking a new phase in the area development for both Kadans Science Partner and the Utrecht Science Park Foundation. Realization was handled by Goossen te Pas (VolkerWessels), with flexibility as a core requirement, not only technically but also in terms of use.

In 2025, the building was completed and officially opened during Utrecht Science Week. This timing was no coincidence: from day one, Plus Ultra was intended to function as a platform for meeting, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. During the opening, the public was granted access to the laboratories, the Innovation Hub, and the Shared Open Innovation Lab, underscoring the openness to the community.

Architecture that encourages encounter

Cepezed designed Plus Ultra Utrecht with a strong focus on interaction. The atrium forms the beating heart of the building: light, open, and directly connected to offices, laboratories, and meeting spaces. Here, spontaneous encounters take place that often form the basis for new research projects or start-ups.

The wooden slatted facade and the distinctive shape, derived from the wedge-shaped plot, give the building its recognizable appearance. Inside, the use of wood is continued in the detailing, creating warmth and tranquility, in line with the project's WELL ambitions. The glass plinth makes the science gallery visible from the street and literally puts science on display.

The functional layout reflects the growth of the ecosystem: low-rise for start-ups and high-rise for scale-ups. Large floor areas and a hybrid load-bearing structure make it possible to respond quickly to changing tenant needs.

Lab-ready and plug-and-play

Flexibility and a robust technical infrastructure are essential in modern life science buildings. Plus Ultra Utrecht offers lab-ready spaces that can be easily adapted to specific research needs. For young companies, this means less start-up time, less friction, and more focus on innovation.

Shared facilities, such as meeting rooms, the i-HUB, open innovation labs, and community services, make Plus Ultra more than just real estate. The building functions as an accelerator with direct access to equipment, talent, knowledge, and networks. Tenants receive not only workspace but also a place within the pan-European Kadans network.

Sustainability and well-being

Despite the energy-intensive nature of life science laboratories, Plus Ultra Utrecht combines high sustainability ambitions with high-quality laboratory functionality. With BREEAM Outstanding certifications, a geothermal heat pump system, extensive PV surfaces, and a demountable structure, the building is future-proof and responsible.

In addition, there is a strong focus on health and well-being. Daylight, greenery, and carefully designed interiors make the building attractive to talent, which is a crucial factor in a globally competitive biotech market.

A living ecosystem

From the outset, Plus Ultra Utrecht was designed as an ecosystem, not as a traditional multi-tenant office building. Events, tours, networking activities, and public spaces ensure continuous interaction. Innovation does not arise here by chance, but is consciously programmed.

More than a building

Plus Ultra Utrecht marks a new phase for the Utrecht Science Park and the Dutch life sciences sector. By combining sustainable construction, high-quality laboratories, architectural quality, flexible growth, and a strong community, it serves as both a physical location and a strategic accelerator for biomedical innovation, regenerative medicine, and health technology.

Life Science Live

FHI Life Science Live takes place on May 19, 2026, at Plus Ultra Utrecht. The theme is innovative cell culture techniques for research and personalized medicine. View the program and register at the website.

Location
Universiteitsweg 101, 3584 CG Utrecht
Utrecht Science Park

[1] Laboratory space for rent in Utrecht | Plus Ultra Utrecht

[2] New phase for the Utrecht Science Park: living, working and studying – News – Utrecht University