InnoRenew CoE has begun construction of its new institutional complex in Izola, which will be the largest wooden building in Slovenia once completed. A successful public procurement process led to selection of a contractor and construction contract that was signed on 8 January 2020 with VG5, lead partner, together with MARLES HIŠE MARIBOR and subcontractors KLIMA CELJE, SEA, GONZAGA-PRO and ELCOM.

The new InnoRenew CoE building. Image: InnoRenew CoE

Construction of the InnoRenew CoE complex, worth approximately 11 million euros, began at the end of last week in Izola with an introductory meeting of contractors to the work. Construction is expected to be completed with a certificate of acquisition and valid occupancy permit no later than in September 2021.

InnoRenew CoE, as one of ten partners in the largest research project in Slovenia, begins this infrastructure investment thanks to European funds from the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (H2020-WIDESPREAD-2 Teaming: #739574) and the European Regional Development Fund with co-financing from the Republic of Slovenia (Ministry of Education, Science and Sport). Once finished, the research institute will be housed in two new interconnected buildings spread across 8.200 m2 of gross built area. In addition to common areas, there will be offices, conference rooms and ten specialty laboratories.

View of the institute from the west side. Image: InnoRenew CoE

The complex will be constructed from a hybrid combination of timber, concrete and steel. The upper levels (floors 1-3) will be completely wooden, making it the largest wooden building in Slovenia to date.

The largest wooden building in Slovenia. Image: InnoRenew CoE

Keeping with InnoRenew CoE’s research mission, the complex itself will serve as a research project. During and after construction, there will be intensive monitoring to provide insight into the aging of timber used for construction and facilitate planning of wooden construction in the future.

InnoRenew CoE’s innovativeness has been recognized through the financial support of the European Union and the Republic of Slovenia, thus opening the way to realization of the institute’s permanent infrastructure.

Read more about the start of InnoRenew CoE’s construction in the article NAJVEČJA V DRŽAVI! V Izoli stekla gradnja edinstvenega objekta v Sloveniji (FOTO, VIDEO), published at the web portal Regional Obala.