CLDR
On the site of the former University Center for Psychiatry, a new building will be constructed: the Central Laboratory for Diagnostics and Research (CLDR). As the name suggests, this facility will bring together various laboratories in one location to enable closer collaboration.
Currently, the laboratories of the UMCG and the University of Groningen (RUG) are spread across 50 different locations on the Healthy Ageing Campus. Most of these laboratories will be consolidated in the new CLDR, while the remaining labs will stay in the main UMCG building as part of the Central Sample Reception (CMO) – a 24/7 laboratory.
The central location for the CLDR has been carefully chosen. It promotes not only collaboration between research and diagnostics, but also between the UMCG and the University of Groningen. Renewing the laboratories is crucial to achieving consistent, modern, and efficient workflows within a smaller footprint—without compromising functionality.
Source text: umcgbouwt.nl
Source artists impression: NUDUS.
Update 1-10-2025: Start design team
Update 1 October 2025: Design Team Selected
The University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), in collaboration with the University of Groningen (RUG), has selected the architectural firms NUDUS and Proof of the Sum as the design team for a new, state-of-the-art laboratory building on the Healthy Ageing Campus in Groningen.
With a total area of over 30,000 m², the building will be one of the largest laboratory facilities in the Netherlands. It will consolidate the UMCG’s dispersed research and diagnostic laboratories into one central location on the campus.
Sustainable Design with a Human Scale
The design draws inspiration from the original pavilion character of the campus, featuring separate yet interconnected building sections and a striking height accent known as the “bookend.” Sustainability is central to the design, with a strong focus on CO₂ reduction and social value for campus users. By choosing wood as the main structural material, the design team aims to minimize environmental impact.
Shared Service for Innovation and Collaboration
The new laboratory building will be organized according to the shared service principle: shared facilities, flexible use, and a clear spatial structure make the building both future-proof and inviting for collaboration. The result will be a high-tech research environment where diagnostics, science, interaction, and sustainability come together.
The Healthy Ageing Campus continues to grow as a hub for innovation in healthcare, science, and entrepreneurship—with this new building providing a powerful boost for the region and beyond.
