Education Executive Agency & Regional Tax Office  

This PPP project is one of the first large new-build projects of the Rijksgebouwendienst (Government Buildings Agency) that has been put out to tender through PPP. The project comprises joint accommodation for the Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (Education Executive Agency - previously the IB-Groep) and the Belastingdienst (Tax and Customs Administration) on the Kempkensberg road in Groningen.

The building offers accommodation to approximately 2,500 work stations and will have parking for 1,500 bicycles and 675 cars, accommodated mainly in an underground garage. Above this there will be a large public park with a water feature and a multi-role pavilion for commercial purposes.

PPP provides added value
DUO² (a consortium of Strukton, Ballast Nedam, John Laing) is responsible for the design, construction and finance of the new office block for the Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs and the Belastingdienst (47,000 m²), including management and maintenance of the building and supplying general technical services over a period of 20 years: a DBFMO approach (Design, Build, Finance, Maintain and Operate). A PPP model contributes to transparency in the tendering process, reducing costs for construction and use, and leads to innovation, as an integrated approach calls for new working methods and solutions.

Sustainable Design
Sustainability plays an important role and has for this reason been included as an integral part of the design. This finds expression in:

• Façade, choice of materials, finishing and integration of systems are intensively coordinated with a high level of sustainability and minimal harm to the environment. The building is being equipped with a bio-fuel Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system. Electricity and heat are generated close to the consumers by means of a CHP generator, thus virtually eliminating losses arising from heat transport.
• By passing water through the floor structure (concrete core activation), the building's energy consumption is considerably reduced. This simultaneously contributes to a pleasant climate and thus to a healthy building. Long-term underground energy storage is used for heating and cooling, in combination with water pumps.
•  The building can be converted to apartments in the long term. Consideration has been given at an early stage to locating lifts, systems and stairs. 

Ecology and the Surrounding Area
Ecological integration with the adjacent Sterrebos is a significant part of the project. Establishing and managing the green areas have been coordinated in such a way that ecological added value is generated for the surrounding area, in addition to an attractive working environment for people.

Status and Planning

• DUO² was launched at the end of 2008 with the construction of the new office block.
• Mayor Wallage carried out the first construction work on 2 February 2009.
• The new building was handed over on 15 March 2011, after which a start was made on demolishing the existing office towers on the Kempkensberg road and the construction of the parking garage, park and pavilion.