Tom starts sharing: ‘The area surrounding Johan Cruijff ArenA and AFAS Live is diverse, vibrant, and high-density urban. We are going to add a remarkable green feature to this environment. How wonderful is it that residents, amid the surrounding hustle and bustle, can find their own green relaxation and sports area in their own apartment building? You don't have to leave the building; you just walk into the rooftop garden and find a bench to relax and meet others, engage in urban fitness, or take a scenic walk towards the multifunctional sports cage to work out.’
Organic Rooftop Landscapes
‘The design of the rooftop landscapes is organic. Not straightforward, but a naturally winding structure of paths that flows through a robust, lush vegetation of shrubs, flowers, and trees. The paths guide you from one spot to another, alongside planting that provides a beautiful display of colorful and fragrant flowers and shrubs throughout all seasons. These also supply nectar and shelter year-round, making birds and insects feel at home here.’
Student Studios Eleven Base at the Rooftop Garden
‘In Eleven Base, the rooftop landscapes are placed on several different levels. On the first floor, there is an intimate indoor garden, with a spiral staircase leading to a small garden on the second floor. The student studios are located adjacent to this rooftop garden. On the stage area of Eleven Base lies a larger and open rooftop landscape. From here, you have a view of the surroundings. A multifunctional sports cage will be built here where you can play basketball, among other activities. This cage is not a ‘regular’ steel cage, but covered with climbing plants that provide nesting spots for birds. Besides sports, you can also relax on your way to the sports cage, read a book, meet your neighbors, and enjoy some wandering around.’
Sports & Games in Eleven Home
Tom continues: ‘In Eleven Home, sports & games are integrated into the design. Here you will find various open areas among the vegetation for urban fitness, such as bars for pull-ups. This space is intimate and is characterized by a different biotope. Mixed thickets form the foundation for people and nature to harmoniously share the rooftop landscape.
Healthy Influence
The green rooftop landscapes are not only pleasant to be in, but they also promote the health of the residents of Eleven Square. ‘Research shows that the presence of nature – even just the view of nature – enhances the well-being of residents. It encourages social interaction and contact, gets people moving, and reduces stress. In Amsterdam, with such a lack of space, these natural rooftop landscapes are a wonderful addition to high-density urban areas.’
Sustainable and Cool
‘The rooftop gardens sustainably capture rainwater. All rooftop landscapes are polder roofs. This means they are constructed on crates that collect rainwater. Not only is this beneficial for the plants on the roofs, but it also helps regulate temperature. On hot days, the rooftop gardens are much cooler and more pleasant than the street below.’
Bold Gestures in Public Spaces
‘In the public space, we make bold gestures by placing green islands with a large number of diverse trees. The green islands characterize the area with their undulating appearance. They create recognizable sculptures for Eleven Square. Beautiful statements that provide the square and streets with immense quality. At the heart of Eleven Square, an underground water element will be installed. Invisible, so that events or markets can also take place here. A green square will be located on the south side, featuring basketball, table tennis, and urban fitness. With the green design, we encourage residents and visitors to foster a healthy living environment.'