Green Oasis on Top of Parking Garage |
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| Mark Joost Meijer,
Tuesday 11 March 2025 |
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| 127 sec |
Complete Courtyard Garden Delivered in Three Weeks
Walking through the Weesper Lusthofje, listening to birdsong and admiring the lush plants, one would hardly believe that this spot lies along one of Amsterdam's busiest traffic arteries. Yet, it does. The Weesper Lusthofje is situated directly next to the Weesperstraat — on top of a parking garage.
| ‘We used Adezz planters where planting in open soil was not possible.’ |
It may appear as though the garden has always been here, but this transformation happened only recently. Until not long ago, the space was nothing more than another rooftop parking lot. However, the City of Amsterdam decided that maintaining such a large asphalt surface in the middle of the city was no longer acceptable. In its ambition to become more climate-adaptive and biodiversity-friendly, the city chose to convert the parking deck into a courtyard garden. The assignment to carry out the transformation as quickly as possible was given to the greening specialists of Blooming Buildings.
'In record time — just three weeks after receiving the initial briefing — we delivered a complete courtyard garden,' says Tanja van der Knoop, owner of Blooming Buildings. 'We may never do it that fast again, but now we know: it's possible when needed.'
 | | An Adezz water table. Water always works: people love it, and so do birds and insects. |
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Biodiverse Abundance
With over 180 different plant species, most of which were installed in FURNS planters, Blooming Buildings more than fulfilled expectations. 'Biodiversity is our top priority as well,' says Van der Knoop. 'We ensure healthy, living soil and work with a wide variety of plant species that still complement each other visually, enabling us to guarantee rich biodiversity. We also design so that something is always in bloom throughout the year. Sometimes by mid-January it already feels like spring. If insects emerge early, there's always something for them to feed on.'
A Challenging Assignment
The project presented several challenges, not only due to the tight timeframe. 'When we first visited the site, a large pile of sand was in place, and the asphalt had been removed because of a sewer break,' recalls Van der Knoop. Since the parking deck was already open, the city seized the opportunity to go further and create a green park.
'The garden sits largely atop the roof of the underlying parking garage. We replaced the asphalt with semi-paving and added planting beds for in-ground planting. Climbing plant walls were designed around the perimeter to conceal the building's stone façade. Where planting in open soil wasn't feasible, we used Adezz planters. We also installed a water feature from Adezz, because water is always a draw — for people, as well as birds and insects. Water greatly boosts biodiversity, which is something we always like to see.'
Combating Climate Change with Greenery
The Netherlands leads the world in biodiversity loss, prompting more municipalities to recognize the need for urban greening to restore biodiversity. Green infrastructure also helps address other effects of climate change. On hot days, plants provide cooling; during heavy rainfall, green spaces act as sponges, reducing the risk of flooding. This is why new construction projects are increasingly required to include nature-based design.
Replacing Grey with Green
'Even, or perhaps especially, in existing developments, there is enormous potential,' says Van der Knoop. 'Replacing grey surfaces with green not only makes urban areas more beautiful but also healthier. Plants purify the air and provide mental relaxation, which makes people happier.'
'You don't need much space for greenery to make a difference, vertical gardens with climbing plants can already transform a space. But, of course, it's even better when there's room to work with, like here at the Weesper Lusthofje. We always design these urban parks with people in mind. They should be pleasant places to walk through or relax during a break. Everyone needs nature, especially city dwellers. Green spaces help people unwind. It's incredibly rewarding to transform urban spaces into places where birds return, where people gather, and where nature thrives. That's what drives us.'
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