![HTA-diagram-greening the city](https://livinglandscapes.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HTA-diagram-greening-the-city.jpg)
Greening the city
There is a big need to green our cities. It is an important factor for a liveable urban climate. Green will help cooling, it can store water, house different species and provides space for leisure. Amsterdam has the ambition for radical greenification. Rooftop gardens provide a huge possibility, when cities are densified, to green roofs and facades.
This rooftop of a new development in the city centre of Amsterdam contributes to this ambition for its residents and its borough. Next to this it also creates a stepping stone in the bigger -urban- picture.
![HTA-rooftop-concept](https://livinglandscapes.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HTA-rooftop-concept.jpg)
Green tapestry
The rooftop garden will be a green tapestry created out of wild flowers, perennials, shrubs and trees. This carpet is covering the entire building; roof, facades, elevated courtyard and the adjacent ground level. With a planting design which is covering different layers and creates a biodiverse, enclosed space within the courtyard garden.
Amongst the greenery there are small spaces for encounters and relaxation, by an elevated, green pathway which makes it a pleasant place to stay.
Last but nog least rainwater is stored in reservoirs and a custom designed pond. This is an important element to future-proof the garden with a circular water cycle and it houses a range of water-loving creatures at the same time.
![HTA-plan-drawing](https://livinglandscapes.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HTA-plan-drawing.jpg)
![HTA-plan-drawing-planting](https://livinglandscapes.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HTA-plan-drawing-planting.jpg)
![HTA-plan-drawing-paths](https://livinglandscapes.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HTA-plan-drawing-paths.jpg)
![HTA-section-2](https://livinglandscapes.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HTA-section-2.jpg)
Habitatelements
This rooftop design aims to attract 100 species. Humans are integrated as part of the ecosystem, humans and non-humans alike.
The meet this goal we designed a series of habitatelements, furniture pieces our of tree trunks, and a colourful topping of ceramics. 99 species can house in or feed on the tree. The hundredth species, humankind, is given a layer of its own on top of the wood. This creates an integrated society where humans can watch, listen and learn from “nature” without disturbing the habitat of other species.
![HTA-habitatelementen](https://livinglandscapes.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HTA-habitatelementen.jpg)
![HTA-view-garden2](https://livinglandscapes.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HTA-view-garden2.jpg)
An new urban symbiosis
With this design we integrate architecture and nature. By greening roofs and facades with natural planting that attract different species, integrating a polder roof with pond, that creates humid habitats and using trees to create space and sunny spots, to increase diversity within the garden.
![HTA-100-species-diagram-1](https://livinglandscapes.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HTA-100-species-diagram-1.jpg)
![HTA-100-species-diagram-2](https://livinglandscapes.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HTA-100-species-diagram-2.jpg)