Sustainable Urban Living Redefined
Amsterdam City Garden
Client
City of Amsterdam, conceptual project
Design team
Frank Tjepkema, Caroline Prisse
Reimagining Canal Heritage Through Glass
In a bold conceptual project for Amsterdam's vibrant city center, Tjep. introduces City Garden—a seamless fusion of urban greenery and architectural innovation. Inspired by the iconic narrow facades of traditional canal houses, these structures are reenvisioned as transparent glass houses, allowing lush gardens to thrive within and spill outwards, creating living, breathing oases amid the historic waterways.
Gardens Encased in Transparent Elegance
The glass houses mimic the gabled silhouettes and slender proportions of classic Amsterdam canal architecture, but with walls of crystal-clear glass that dissolve boundaries between interior and exterior. Integrated vertical gardens climb the facades, while rooftop terraces and internal atriums host vibrant plant life, promoting biodiversity and offering residents and visitors interactive green spaces for relaxation, education, and community gatherings.
Blending Modernity with Historic Charm
Crafted from sustainable materials like tempered glass and steel frames, the design ensures energy efficiency through natural light and passive solar heating. "We wanted to honor Amsterdam's canal heritage while injecting a fresh, transparent vitality that brings nature back to the urban core," reflects Frank Tjepkema. These structures could line select canals, transforming underutilized spaces into dynamic hubs where flora flourishes visibly, inviting passersby to engage with the greenery.
Sustainable Urban Living Redefined
Beyond aesthetics, City Garden addresses contemporary challenges like urban heat islands and biodiversity loss, with rainwater harvesting systems and pollinator-friendly plantings. This concept envisions a city where every facade tells a story of growth, making green living accessible and integral to daily life.
Echoing Tjep.'s Visionary Approach
True to Tjep.'s ethos of poetic functionality, City Garden redefines public spaces as harmonious blends of history, nature, and innovation. Explore this inspiring proposal on Tjep.com, where urban dreams take root in glass and green.