A Colorful Solarix Facade at Helix One!

UNStudio Designs One of the World’s Most Sustainable Laboratory Buildings: One Helix

Amsterdam, April 2025 — UNStudio has unveiled One Helix, one of the most sustainable laboratory buildings in the world, located on the campus of the Amsterdam University Medical Centre (Amsterdam UMC). This highly ambitious and innovative project integrates state-of-the-art sustainability measures within a refined and intelligent architectural concept.

Developed in close collaboration with Amsterdam UMC, De Vries en Verburg, UNStudio, SolarNRG, Kenwell, Wijnveen, and Solarix, the building is optimized for solar energy generation on all four façades. Solar panels are seamlessly integrated into the upper fins and the rooftop technical space, ensuring a balanced and efficient energy yield throughout the day.

Spanning 6,515 m², the building combines laboratory and office functions with supporting amenities. Light grey Solarix panels frame the entire upper section of the building, while suede-black panels define its five wings, visible from every floor, creating a striking visual connection between the exterior and the interior.

Designed to Set a Global Benchmark for Sustainable Labs

One Helix is conceived as a fully electric, energy-positive building, designed to operate with net-zero emissions. It has achieved a BREEAM Outstanding certification, and aims for an impressively low environmental impact, with an MPG (Environmental Performance) score of ≤0.6. The result is an architectural landmark where energy generation is naturally embedded in the design, showcasing what the future of sustainable building can look like.

Client: De Vries en Verburg
Project Team: Amsterdam UMC, De Vries en Verburg, UNStudio, SolarNRG, Kenwell, Wijnveen, and Solarix