Date: 23-04-2014

The construction firm Heijmans and Studio Roosegaarde, the design firm of artist and innovator Daan Roosegaarde, have signed a new partnership agreement with a term of at least 3 years. The agreement marks the next phase in the development of their joint Smart Highway concept.

Since the introduction of the Smart Highway, an innovative concept for the intelligent, interactive high-way of tomorrow, Studio Roosegaarde and Heijmans are receiving interest from throughout the world: from governments, potential customers in the private sector and investors who perceive the added value of these groundbreaking ideas. Under the new agreement the partners work on the development of Smart Highway innovations with a clear focus and also intend to market these internationally.

The contract is based on an exclusive partnership between Studio Roosegaarde and Heijmans for innovative developments in the building sector. Ten or so concepts will be developed from prototype to practical innovation.

From dream to reality
The Heijmans-Roosegaarde partnership is a new challenge for Daan Roosegaarde. It is a partnership in which you can learn from each other, in which you are aware of each other's differences, but know how to convert them into powerful statements. Based on the concept that 'you can't tickle yourself, but someone else can', Daan tries to convey that you need someone to free yourself, to be able to look beyond what you are used to, especially if you are coming from different worlds. The ideas for the Smart Highway were there already, living in Daan's dream world. The partnership makes it possible to bring this dream world into reality and to discover new markets. For example, concrete interest has already been received from Africa, China, the USA and from within the Netherlands itself.

Knowledge and Technology
For Heijmans this step is consistent with its ambition of becoming a knowledge company. The com-pany does not have any plans to develop a construction company other than in the Netherlands, Bel-gium and Germany, but perceives concrete opportunities in supplying knowledge and technology. A new business unit has been created for this purpose: Heijmans Technology. Heijmans Technology will in the first instance focus on marketing the Smart Highway internationally, but also wants to market other innovations internationally in the future.

Innovating the Dutch landscape together
The partnership between Roosegaarde and Heijmans is an example for all sectors wanting to continue to be innovative. The art and the interactivity of Studio Roosegaarde and Heijmans's specialised knowledge and experience bring out the best of two worlds. Although there are major differences between the two companies, they share their most important goal: to innovate the Dutch landscape.

About artist Daan Roosegaarde
Daan Roosegaarde's art works are characterized by the interaction between humans and technology. Through means of projects that vary from fashion to architecture, he creates smart and social designs intended to create a better world. Roosegaarde has won various international design awards and his work is exhibited in various venues, such as the Tate Modern Art Gallery in London, the National Mu-seum in Tokyo, the Urban Museum and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and various public spaces in Rotterdam and Hong Kong.

About Heijmans
Heijmans is a listed company that combines activities related to property development, residential building, non-residential building and technical services, road building and civil engineering. Heijmans is active in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Our focus on an integrated approach and high-quality execution creates added value for our customers. Heijmans realizes integrated, innovative projects for large customers, such as companies and government organizations, and homes for investors and consumers. We are building the skyline of tomorrow with a workforce of approximately 7,500 employees.

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