urban cactus

Sky gardens in the city

Concept development and design for a striking residential tower in Rotterdam. 98 apartments, all with garden in the form of a large balcony. Living in the middle of the metropolitan city, with the benefit of the suburban sky garden.

Urban Cactus ingeniously responds to the growing demand for high-quality living space with high-quality outdoor space in the center of the city. Young citizens often leave the city due to the lack of a garden. An outdoor area for barbecuing, enjoying the sun, a place where the city dweller has privacy and can be himself. Once outside the city, one misses the urban amenities that once were next door, the bars, the restaurants and the museums. The urbanite belongs in the city. Even when living requirements change, there must be an alternative. A dwelling type that gives an answer to the changed desires and wishes.

Between all the urbanity of the Kop Van Zuid in Rotterdam, the Binnenhaven is the silent witness of this former port area. The Binnenhaven is, as an open and green urban space, a backbone for its environment. Urban Cactus is located at the head of this spine and belongs as object more to this green vein than to the surrounding urban structure.

Urban Cactus comprises 98 homes over 19 layers in an efficient round tower, a ground floor with commercial spaces and a deepened plinth with entrance, storage and parking facilities. Urban Cactus is an all-round building whose ultimate appearance is created by the all-sided pattern of the outdoor spaces. These outdoor spaces, which can be individually dressed, give the building its own distinct character, form and identity.

Urban Cactus accommodates four types of residences, ranging from 65 to 110 square meters per dwelling. Two types of floors with 4 and 6 dwellings per layer are sufficient to house the various dwellings. By rotating this division on a grid, the all-sided pattern of the prickly and excellent outdoor spaces arises. Every home has a façade-filling outdoor space. The size of the outdoor space, the shape and facilities to enable vegetation maximize the garden feeling. From your private garden view of the city as the ultimate in urban living.