Water Moss Rock
Project for the Mr.Visserplein, Amsterdam
Ronald Rietveld, Landschapsarchitectuur, Amsterdam
Project summary
The global climate is normally associated with water problems. Amsterdam is
one of the world’s most famous water cities. It appearance and urban
development have been shaped by the struggle against water and by the
chances provided by the presence of water. Currently the city is preparing
for a new challenge: water from heaven. Already now the sewer system is
unable to deal adequately with the rainwater. Overflowing sewers pollute
Amsterdam’s famous canals. The city government is developing plans for 60
underground water storage facilities. Increasing rainfall will make this
problem more pressing in the near future.
The project Water Moss Rocks focuses on the chances of increasing rainfall.
By using the qualities of the Mr. Visserplein, it makes the most of the
possibilities for sustainable rainwater reuse in Amsterdam. After
realization of this project each year 72 million liters of rainwater will
flow from three nearby squares and six large roofs located within 300 meter
distance to the Mr. Visserplein. This project’s design combines a new
rainwater circulation system with the currently present underground network
of spaces for clean rainwater storage. Moreover, it creates a new eye
catching tourist attraction for water city Amsterdam: the Hortus Moss Rock
in a spectacular waterscape. The Hortus Moss Rock is as high as the
synagogue and rises up from the sunken water world. Water pumped up to the
top creates a giant waterfall. The other sides of the humid rock exhibit
Amsterdam’s unique vegetation of (canal) wall flora: rare ferns and mosses.
The tall rock with its exceptional vegetation will encourage tourists and
inhabitants to visit the Hortus Botanicus located around the corner. The
square in front of the synagogue will be an inspiring new spot in the city
with flowing water, waterfalls and impressive fountains. It openly shows the
clean water storage function and invites various forms of use without
programming these in advance.
Space and use
Water circulation is necessary for the quality of the stored rainwater.
Superfountains as high as the neighboring buildings serve this purpose and
at the same time create an impressive waterscape on the square. The height
of this water space is equal to the surrounding buildings. The water space
opens at the size of the silent Portuguese synagogue. For the first time in
its existence this monument will get the surrounding it deserves. The domain
of pedestrians and cyclists will be organized in a new and improved way. The
routing between the various public attractions and surrounding neighborhoods
will as much as possible lead these people over the water square. The sunken
water world is experienced best by going down the grass slope in front of
the synagogue. This offers the public a chance to escape the noisy cars,
hurried cyclists and shopping crowds.
Why a rainwater storage at the Mr. Visserplein?
Rainfall patterns change as a result of the changing climate. To avoid canal
water pollution the city of Amsterdam is currently planning 60 underground
sewer water storage facilities. In these plans clean rainwater will be mixed
with sewer water and becomes polluted water. This waste of clean rainwater
is avoided in the Water Moss Rocks proposal in which fresh rainwater is
collected for sustainable reuse. The underground network of the Mr.
Visserplein is large enough to contribute significantly to the collection of
relatively clean water. The car tunnel under the Mr. Visserplein is a
potential underground rainwater canal. The importance of sustainable
rainwater management is acknowledged by more and more institutions with a
sense of responsibility. Currently the Hortus behind the Mr. Visserplein is
already reusing rainwater. However, on its own it is not able to collect
enough rainwater for its needs (upto 5000 litres a day). The Hortus is
potentially the first customer for the rainwater collected under the Mr.
Visserplein. Artis is also planning to start reusing rainwater.
The Mr. Visserplein is strategically located for rainwater collection. Water
from six large public buildings and three squares with a total hard surface
of 5.3 hectare will be directed to the 4 entrances of the largely
underground water storage network (see panel 72-a for details of the water
circulation system). In the year 2100, the amount of rainfall is expected to
have increased by 6%. On average once every 100 year there is expected to be
a period of extremly heavy rainfall that will fill up the whole sunken space
(20 million liter) up to ground level.
Designing for rainwater reuse offers chances for a new type of public space
in this centuries old water city. Water Moss Rocks makes sustainable water
management visible.
Ronald Rietveld Landschapsarchitectuur, Postbus 11815, 1001 GV Amsterdam www.ronaldrietveld.nl
