De Groene Kaap-Rotterdam: Living in green is the future

Recently the latest project was completed, The Green Cape. A large complex with 450 new construction rental and for-sale housing units and space for hospitality and retail. It includes four port buildings with five towers connected by courtyards, walkways and roof gardens. Together, the various green spaces form a continuous route for residents and visitors.

Emphasis on greenery

The emphatic attention to greenery in the design phase resulted in many of the homes being in direct contact with one of the court and roof gardens. Another special feature is that part of the gardens are publicly accessible, while another part can be closed off to the residents. 

The gardens collectively cover some 7,500 square meters. For the technical design, simplicity was chosen, in terms of materials but also in their application. By working with different themes and color schemes per garden or courtyard, which are connected by bridges and paths, a varied walking route is created. Repetitive planting ensures that it still remains a whole. 

Planting: challenges and solutions

The planting had to follow the specific principles of the design. The image to be created consisted of undulating movements of different heights and different color schemes. The plants had to have a long flowering period and be as beautiful when viewed from above as they were at walking height.

Perennials

In roof gardens surrounded by high-rise buildings, there are areas of shade and sun. For indoor gardens with lots of shade, geranium, brunnera, aster and anemone were chosen. For the roof the species helenium, hemerocallis, kniphofia and the ornamental grasses pennisetum and calamagrostis. 

Trees and shrubs

For the roof gardens, multi-stem trees were chosen in groups combined with shrubs that differ in height. This creates a mini forest, as it were, in which the plants protect each other from the heavy wind load. The species used are native, multi-stemmed tree species, such as Acer campestre, Amelanchier, Cornus mas, Betula pendula, Pinus nigra, Crataegus monogyna, and Frangula alnus.

Flower Bulbs

A nice and useful addition in the planting plan are flower bulbs because it extends the flowering time. Bulbs were chosen that bloom before or after March, such as Alliums, and early daffodils, because perennials are pruned back in March.

The value of greenery

A home with a view of greenery not only sells better, but also has a significant impact on the quality of life in a neighborhood.