Topping out ceremony for the Eco-Innovation Center | Gdańsk University of Technology

The Eco-Innovation Center will be a state-of-the-art research facility that will enable university scientists to develop and implement innovative technologies in the field of engineering and environmental protection. This includes, among others: sewage treatment, water and flood management, energy efficiency in construction, transport and industry, as well as the development of renewable energy sources and the revitalization of degraded urban areas. 

Once launched, it will serve as a teaching, laboratory and research facility, allowing for the training of specialists focused on creating new, innovative ecological technologies.

Another large investment at Gdańsk University of Technology

On Friday, 15 September 2023, during a special ceremony, a topping out wreath was installed at the highest point of the building, which means that it has reached its target height.

The event was attended by, among others: Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk University of Technology, Wiesław Byczkowski, Vice-Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Piotr Grzelak, Vice-President of Gdańsk, and also: Mariusz Miler, Chancellor of Gdańsk Tech, prof. Joanna Żukowska, Dean of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Gdańsk Tech, Prof. Antoni Taraszkiewicz, building designer, Małgorzata Winiarek-Gajewska, President of NDI and Tomasz Gieszcz, Director of the Pomeranian Voivode's office.

– After launching the supercomputer named "Kraken” this spring, this is our next large and very important investment - said Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of the university. – The Eco-Innovation Center will be one of the most important scientific units in the country and a symbol of our constant concern for the natural environment, the future of our country and our planet. It is also an expression of our belief in the potential of science and technology, which guarantee a better future for all of us.

Progress of works

The Eco-Innovation Center is being built at ul. Siedlicka, i.e. in the heart of the campus of Gdańsk University of Technology. According to the contractor, NDI, construction works are progressing according to schedule and the building has reached its shell condition. The construction teams are already erecting partition walls inside the building, and simultaneously, installing window and stone facades, as well as connecting the electrical, telecommunications, sanitary and rainwater systems. All these scopes of work are coordinated so as not to hinder each other's work.

The center will be an eco-friendly facility, equipped with renewable energy systems, rainwater and graywater reuse systems, which will bring savings in drinking water consumption. The chilled water units will cool fan coil units, i.e. devices that combine the functionalities of heaters and air conditioning. There will be photovoltaic panels and vertical wind turbines on the roof.​

Construction works will be completed at the end of December this year, and in the following months the university will equip the facility for use and install specialized research equipment there. New, specialized laboratories will be created in the center, and other, already existing ones, will be moved from the current spaces of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The total cost of commissioning will reach approximately PLN 170 million, obtained from ministerial subsidies, EU funds and the university's own funds.

Topping out ceremony at the construction site of Gdańsk Tech Eco-Innovation Center. In the photo, first row from the left: Wiesław Byczkowski, Vice-Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Piotr Grzelak, Vice-President of Gdańsk, Tomasz Gieszcz, Director of the Pomeranian voivode's office, Mariusz Miler, Chancellor of Gdańsk University of Technology, Prof. Joanna Żukowska, Dean of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Prof. Antoni Taraszkiewicz, building designer, Małgorzata Winiarek-Gajewska, President of NDI, Jacek Szuta, President of the management board of Polimex Infrastruktura, Marcin Lewandowski, Vice-President of NDI. Photo Krzysztof Krzempek/Gdańsk Tech

About the construction of Gdańsk Tech Eco-Innovation Center:

Wiesław Byczkowski, vice-marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship: – Gdańsk University of Technology, as one of the best universities in Poland, must constantly develop its scientific and research capabilities, investing both in the competences of its employees and in infrastructure. I am very pleased that this is happening with a significant share of EU funds. It was largely thanks to the EU funds that in the spring of this year, Gdańsk Tech opened the STOS IT Center equipped with the "Kraken" supercomputer, and will soon launch the Eco-innovation Center. As the local government, we are more than willing to support this type of projects.

Piotr Grzelak, Vice-President of Gdańsk: – It is a great joy that a facility such as the Eco-innovation Center is being built in Gdańsk. The future of our cities and the entire planet depends on green technologies. It is scientists, their ideas and innovative technologies that give us a chance to minimize the effects of climate change. We are waiting for the construction to be completed and we believe that thanks to the solutions developed here, Gdańsk will become an even greener and more friendly city for its residents.  

Mariusz Miler, Chancellor of Gdańsk Tech: – Through subsequent investments, our university is developing dynamically and gaining new functions, and the construction of the Eco-innovation Center confirms this. Only this year, we opened a very large and important facility, i.e. the STOS IT Center equipped with a supercomputer. There were also smaller projects, such as a thorough renovation of one of the dormitories or the opening of the university kindergarten. We also plan to open the marina that belongs to Gdańsk Tech, located on Sobieszewo Island.   

Prof. Joanna Żukowska, Dean of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Gdańsk Tech: – The Eco-innovation Center is crucial for scientists and students of our faculty. The modern laboratories with which the building will be equipped and, above all, the specialized equipment they will contain, will certainly be useful in developing and implementing innovative, green technologies and other research projects.

Małgorzata Winiarek-Gajewska, President of NDI: – The topping out ceremony is a moment of joy for the entire team as they reach the stage of work where the scale and shape of the building can already be seen. This is another project we are running for Gdańsk University of Technology. A few months ago we had the pleasure to hand over the STOS Competence Center, the building for the supercomputer. Each new project makes us happy, but this one especially, as we are doing it to serve the next generations of the academic community of our Alma Mater.

Prof. Antoni Taraszkiewicz, the Faculty of Architecture at Gdańsk Tech, the architect: – The design of the building should correspond to the role it will play. Therefore, when designing the Eco-Innovation Center, we focused on the use of environmentally friendly, innovative technologies. Therefore, it will be a modern and eco-friendly facility, which opening we can't wait for.