Floating Gardens, Amsterdam

Floating Gardens is an integrated development in Sloterdijk, featuring a school in the plinth and 192 apartments above. The complex gives meaningful substance to the area's green ambitions through various park and garden rooms located around, on, and throughout the building. The school grounds are designed as a garden room within the park, with natural play facilities. slider THE AREA Floating Gardens is located in Sloterdijk Centre, at the heart of the large-scale Haven-Stad development—currently a stony island in the middle of one of Amsterdam’s green wedges. The area around the station is rapidly transforming from an office district into a mixed-use residential and working area. High ecological ambitions have been set to establish a landscape network through Sloterdijk, connecting both sides of the green wedge that extends into the city from the periphery. FLOATING GARDENS The building is composed of layers of varying sizes to accommodate three green roof gardens, enhancing biodiversity and improving residents’ well-being.    A patio garden on the 2nd floor offers a shaded and enclosed space. Hanging plants on balconies and marsh vegetation in planters create a delicate but well-sheltered environment. For residents, this garden provides a peaceful retreat.   The roof garden on the 5th floor is an intensively managed neighborhood space—a sunny area with low-trunk fruit trees, flowering lawns, and planters for growing herbs and vegetables. Spacious terraces with city views connect to the building’s shared living room. The tower garden on the 8th floor faces a harsher climate. At this height, strong winds require robust planting. Dune vegetation with hardy grasses and shrubs on dry, stony ground adds a distinct character to the overall green environment and complements the gardens below.