Horizons Amsterdam

From ground level to the highest top, Horizons creates new conditions for urban nature in which landscape and architecture are intertwined. By approaching nature in symbiosis with the city, new opportunities for forming ecological cycles are created. With Horizons we make an important contribution to the restoration of nature in Amsterdam. These opportunities are exploited by providing space for flora and fauna at ground level, collective roofs, facades and balconies.

High-rise buildings no longer create a distance between us and nature, we use the vertical surface to connect the different layers with greenery. The landscape in Horizons forms a series of green outdoor spaces where residents can meet each other and find a place to stay, move, play or relax in the shade of the city. Within the series of gardens, each garden has its own use, whereby we distinguish collective gardens for the residents, but also deliberately create ecological spots that are inaccessible to residents.

By creating the greatest possible diversity of plants, soil conditions, shade, sun and temperature, the various target species will find a suitable place to stay in Horizons. Because the green layout stimulates the occurrence of insects, there will be food supply for bats and various bird species. In line with the conditions, the nesting site is accurately fitted to the roofs and integrated into the facade. The specific habitats in and on the building form a collection of cycles that reinforce each other.

Amsterdam, Sluisbuurt, commissioned by Ballast Nedam i.c.w. Paul de Ruiter Architects, Buro Loo, Alba Concepts, Vogelbescherming Nederland, visuals by WAX, competition, circular city, healthy city, climate adaptive city, densification, Flux landscape architecture, 2021