Park x park
amsterdam

clean rainwater disposal is a thing of the past.

Urban densification and the changing climate makes us realize that we need to design cities smarter. In resilient cities, water is recognized as a resource and not seen as a burden. We make rainwater part of the solution by giving it a place in the city and building with it. This way we minimize nuisance and create healthy greenery, cooling terraces and grow fresh vegetables & herbs in our gardens and on roofs.

A thousand years ago, the Marineterrein in Amsterdam consisted mostly of water. 'Amsterdam,' as it would later be called, began with a settlement near the Amstel River. Water was of great importance here; for crops, for livestock and therefore for people. Centuries later, people found an important source of income in water and seafaring, and the city grew into an important port. Shipyards established themselves and warships were supplied from 'Lands Zeemagazijn, today's Maritime Museum. In the seventeenth century, it was perfectly normal to collect rainwater. Thus, rainwater went through the roof of the building through a system of pipes to reservoirs under the courtyard, where today you find the cellar and toilets. Thus, sailors could carry many tons of water on board for months of sea voyages. Water and the city are still inseparable. Thus, we show how we can use rainwater consciously even today. Under both Park x Park surfaces, rainwater is directly stored and reused. Under the garden, we collect water so that the herbs planted by the Maritime Museum can grow well. Under the second plane, we use the stored rainwater to cool the artificial grass and demonstrate that we can build endlessly on water.