Climate House Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam = “KLY-mit HOWSS HOR-tus boh-TAN-ih-kus AM-ster-dam”

ZJA Architects & Engineers

Client: Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam

Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam Climate House

In Amsterdam’s green Plantage district lies one of the Netherlands most remarkable buildings: the Climate House of the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam. Famous for its contemporary ‘high-tech’ steel and glass structure, it harmonizes with its historic surroundings through its staggered height and fine gridwork. Originally designed in the early 1990’s by the newly established firm Zwarts & Jansma Architects (nowadays ZJA Architects & Engineers), It quickly became a beloved attraction and a defining element of the Amsterdam cityscape. A striking external skeleton of steel elements supports the 1,500-square-meter greenhouse. Now, just as visible as the structure itself, is its sustainability upgrade. A renewed and sustainable icon The renewed Climate House at the Hortus has become visibly more sustainable, while retaining its familiar silhouette. The core principles of the original design were preserved —lightweight and transparent for optimal daylight exposure for the plants. The architects emphasized the characteristic main support structure, which defines the iconic image of the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam. The distinctive rhythm and refinement of the existing façade, with its white lines, return in the new design. The single-glazed façade has been replaced with insulating double glazing, and the roof now features lightweight, insulating triple-layer ETFE air cushions. This is the ultimate form of lightweight construction. The story of biodiversity After three decades of service, the greenhouse was due for a major renovation. The Hortus seized this opportunity to completely renew the structure with sustainability in mind. Since 2016, the greenhouse has shared heat and cold with the nearby H’ART Museum. By using residual heat, over 2,740 tonnes of carbon emissions have been saved over the years. Following a sustainability upgrade, a further 40% reduction has made the Climate House the first gas-free public greenhouse in the Netherlands. It's also the only place where the importance of plant biodiversity and its relationship to climate is actively explained. Hosting over 4000 species of plants, the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam and the renewed Climate House play a pivotal role in inspiring others to act against climate change as well as raising awareness of sustainable design principles. Optimal design The sustainable greenhouse now features an insulating roof with lightweight triple-layer ETFE air cushions, double glazing, a system for reusing (rain)water, and integrated, energy-efficient climate systems. The layout has also been completely revamped. In addition to a new Cape region and a refreshed tropical section, BOOM Landscape and Designwolf created extra exhibition space to allow the Hortus to tell the story of biodiversity and climate change on a global scale. The characteristic walkway has been preserved and now runs alongside a new waterfall, created by repurposing 5,500 paving slabs collected from citizens who participated in a city-wide urban greening project. This new feature centralizes and conceals the technical systems. There are also a new viewing platform and an area for introduction and reflection. Thanks to the updated climate systems and the rearrangement of the plant collections, the greenery can now make optimal use of the building and its orientation.