The architecture and urban planning studio MVRDV has completed the project “La Vallée Verte” in the Bordo district of Bastide Niel, Rotterdam, according to reports from “New Atlas.” The development presents a striking contrast between its exterior and its central core. While the surrounding buildings possess an austere facade, the interior reveals a lush, green courtyard. The design features three structures that appear excavated to create an internal space densely filled with vegetation.
From ground level to the upper floors, the area is cultivated with a variety of small trees, shrubs, and diverse plant life. The architects’ primary goal was to evoke the feeling of a natural valley within the urban setting. To achieve this, different species of plants were strategically selected for each level, mimicking a diverse natural ecosystem.
The residential units are oriented toward this central courtyard, and many feature high windows opening onto private balconies equipped with varying sizes of flower beds. The linear arrangement of the building roofs completes the overall composition. The resulting space transforms the perception of the buildings, offering residents a deeply integrated natural environment.
The integration of plant life throughout the structure ensures that there is a continuous visual connection to nature, making the interior space the defining feature of the development.
Topics: #buildings #courtyard #there
