Renewed Climate Greenhouse Hortus open for public

In the early 1990s, the newly established firm Zwarts & Jansma Architects designed the “Three-Climate Greenhouse” for the Amsterdam Hortus Botanicus. A contemporary ‘high-tech’ steel and glass structure, it harmonizes with its historic surroundings through its staggered height and fine gridwork.

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.

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, and after the renovation, it has become 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.

Carlien Blok, Director of the Hortus says: “If our mission is to inspire visitors to act differently, with care for nature, then we must show that we ourselves are committed to doing the same.”

The 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 was also 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 crosses a new waterfall, which centralizes and conceals technical systems. There is also a new viewing platform and an introduction and reflection area. 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.