Infoversum

Infoversum was a 3D dome cinema and planetarium located in the city of Groningen, Netherlands. The initiative for the building came from Edwin Valentijn, a professor of astronomy at the University of Groningen. The structure was built between 2013 and April 2014 on the corner of the Bloemsingel and the Vrydemalaan, and it officially opened on 17 June 2014. Its centrepiece was a projection dome with a diameter of 20 metres and a capacity of 265 seats. The design was by architect Jack van der Palen of Architectengroep Archiview, and the construction used a monocoque method inspired by shipbuilding, in which the steel skin and internal structure form a single whole. The exterior was clad in Corten steel made up of 83 unique plates, enclosing the white dome. As a visitor attraction, Infoversum struggled to meet expectations. Although it had projected 160,000 visitors per year, it attracted only 80,000 in its first year. This shortfall led to financial problems, and the municipality of Groningen withdrew from the project. On 24 November 2015, Infoversum was declared bankrupt. In 2016 the building was taken over by Bos & Bos Catering, which converted it into a restaurant and conference centre under the name DOT. The reopening took place on 23 September 2016. A city beach was laid out next to the building that same year and later expanded to a total area of 4,000 square metres. During the Christmas period, DOT is transformed into an illuminated Christmas bauble with thousands of lights, promoted as the largest Christmas bauble in the world. The planetarium theatre was reopened in 2017 under the name DOTliveplanetarium, in cooperation with the University of Groningen. In November 2024 it was announced that the Vermaat Groep, which had been the operator since 2018, would stop operating DOT as of 1 January 2025. Although demolition was initially speculated about, the municipality of Groningen indicated it was investigating alternatives, and for the time being the building remains standing, partly due to broad support from the city. Separately, the domain infoversum.nl now hosts an astronomy information website. It describes itself as a place where the mysteries of the universe are within reach, aiming to make the complex world of the universe accessible to everyone, whether a seasoned astronomer, a student, or someone simply fascinated by the stars. It offers informative articles, help articles, engaging stories and the latest discoveries.

Infoversum was conceived as a 3D dome cinema and planetarium in Groningen, Netherlands. The initiative came from Edwin Valentijn, a professor of astronomy at the University of Groningen. The building was constructed between 2013 and April 2014 on the corner of the Bloemsingel and the Vrydemalaan. It was designed by architect Jack van der Palen of Architectengroep Archiview. The construction followed a monocoque method inspired by shipbuilding, in which the steel skin and the internal structure form one whole. The Corten steel exterior, built from 83 unique plates, encloses the white dome. The projection dome has a diameter of 20 metres and a capacity of 265 seats. Infoversum officially opened on 17 June 2014. Visitor numbers fell short of expectations. Although 160,000 visitors per year were expected, only 80,000 came in the first year. This led to financial problems and caused the municipality of Groningen to withdraw from the project. On 24 November 2015, Infoversum was declared bankrupt. In 2016 the building was taken over by Bos & Bos Catering, which converted it into a restaurant and conference centre under the name DOT. The reopening took place on 23 September 2016. A city beach was laid out next to the building that same year and later expanded to a total area of 4,000 square metres. During the Christmas period, DOT is transformed into an illuminated Christmas bauble with thousands of lights, promoted as the largest Christmas bauble in the world. The planetarium theatre was reopened in 2017 under the name DOTliveplanetarium, in cooperation with the University of Groningen. In November 2024 it was announced that the Vermaat Groep, which had been the operator since 2018, would stop operating DOT as of 1 January 2025. Although demolition was initially speculated about, the municipality of Groningen indicated it was investigating alternatives. For the time being the building remains standing, partly due to broad support from the city. Separately, the domain infoversum.nl now hosts an astronomy information website. It presents itself as a place where the mysteries of the universe are within reach, aiming to make the complex world of the universe accessible to everyone, whether a seasoned astronomer, a student needing help understanding astronomical concepts, or someone simply fascinated by the stars. It offers informative articles, help articles, engaging stories and the latest discoveries.

• 2024

  Announcement that Vermaat Groep will stop operating DOT as of 1 January 2025.

• 2018

  Vermaat Groep becomes operator of DOT.

• 2017

  Planetarium theatre reopened as DOTliveplanetarium in cooperation with the University of Groningen.

• 2016

  Building taken over by Bos & Bos Catering and reopened as DOT on 23 September; city beach laid out.

• 2015

  Infoversum declared bankrupt on 24 November.

• 2014

  Building completed in April; Infoversum officially opens on 17 June.

• 2013

  Construction of the Infoversum building begins in Groningen.

A visitor attraction and planetarium aiming to make astronomy accessible; later an online astronomy information platform.

• 3D dome cinema

• Planetarium shows

• Astronomy information website (infoversum.nl)

1. 1Infoversum: het universum binnen handbereikinfoversum.nl
2. 2Infoversum - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3DOT (gebouw) - Wikipedianl.wikipedia.org