Picture : The NeighborHub (foreground), winner of the 2017 Solar Decathlon. Over the coming years, major development work is planned for the blueFACTORY site.

Imagine an innovation quarter in the heart of the city, accessible to all and constantly evolving. Dream no more because it is already here – blueFACTORY, which has been open for business since 2013, taps into the ready-made synergies offered by the companies and dense academic network right on its doorstep. The mission of this innovation hub is to advance sustainability by re-thinking the built environment, mobility, health, nutrition and culture of tomorrow.

blueFACTORY is home to around 50 start-ups, established firms, centers of expertise and associations, all eager to share their knowledge, needs and challenges. According to Managing Director Philippe Jemmely, “blueFACTORY offers the ideal conditions for boosting innovation. As a result, there is a steady transfer of technology via joint projects with companies, on- and off-site.” Sometimes, this knowledge transfer flows inwards. The upcoming ‘bâtiment B’ (building B) project is a case in point.

blueFACTORY called on external specialists to come up with a design for the new facility that reflected its broader ‘sponge city’ strategy. The central aim of this strategy, which is supported by the cantonal New Regional Policy (NPR) program, is to use water resources more efficiently. Methods include power generation from the collection of rainwater, aquaponics (fish farming alongside the cultivation of plants in water), and the production of Aurin, a urine-based universal fertilizer. As Philippe Jemmely notes, “when it comes to cutting-edge construction techniques, Fribourg is up there with the best”. Once finished, Bâtiment B will be a concrete reminder of the canton’s building prowess.