Rotterdam The Hague Airport takes off with a green roof

Rotterdam The Hague Airport has undergone a major transformation. The terminal expansion was about more than space: it enhances passenger experience and embeds sustainability. A 1,750 m² Sempergreen Sedum roof now graces the hall, visible to travellers as planes take off and land.

Cleaner air for passengers and neighbours

The Sedum plants filter fine dust, absorb CO₂ and release oxygen around the busy airport site.

Green comfort, indoors and out

The roof regulates indoor temperature, dampens sound and creates a calmer environment for travellers.

Stock ready for large-scale projects

With strong nursery capacity, Sempergreen can deliver thousands of square metres directly from stock.

A terminal ready for the future

Rotterdam The Hague Airport has long been valued for its compact scale, smooth passenger handling and efficient processes. To maintain those qualities while meeting growing demand, the terminal underwent a major expansion. Over a length of 100 metres and a width of 10 metres, the building was extended, adding around 1,000 m² of new space and upgrading another 1,500 m². Remarkably, all of this took place while the airport remained fully operational, a testament to the careful planning behind the renovation. The new hall features a 1,750 m² Sempergreen Sedum roof, filtering fine particles, stabilising indoor temperature and making the building healthier and more resilient.

From technical upgrade to architectural statement

The expansion, designed by Moen & Van Oosten Architects, was far more than a technical update. The project solved three pressing issues at once: more capacity at the security checkpoint, improved baggage handling, and additional gate space behind passport control. Their approach focused on light, atmosphere and sustainability. The new departure hall feels open and warm at the same time, with high ceilings, glass façades and a domestic quality that has always been part of the airport’s charm. Two roof terraces were carved out of the extension, acting as funnels to bring daylight deep into the hall. The sloping roof ensures that views from the higher-level offices remain unobstructed, while the new façade connects seamlessly with the existing arrival hall.

A green roof with multiple functions

At the centre of this sustainable design is a striking green gesture: a 1,750 m² Sempergreen Sedum roof, stretching across the new terminal wing. The green roof was installed by idverde using the traditional Sempergreen green roof system with pre-cultivated Sedum-mix blankets. From day one, the roof offered a lush green surface rather than bare substrate. For the airport, this direct-green result was not just an aesthetic win, but a functional one. Its benefits are many.

The Sedum vegetation retains rainwater, reducing peak runoff during heavy storms — an increasing challenge in Dutch cities. It insulates the building envelope, lowering cooling demand in summer. And it supports biodiversity through a mix of flowering species that provide nectar for bees and butterflies throughout the year.

Clean air in a busy environment

Air quality is a particular concern in and around airports, where aircraft, service vehicles and traffic all contribute to emissions. The Sedum roof plays a subtle but significant role in addressing this. Its fleshy leaves and waxy surfaces trap fine particles and nitrogen oxides from the air, while photosynthesis converts CO₂ into oxygen. The effect is a cleaner microclimate, not only for passengers inside the terminal but also for staff working around the airport and for the surrounding neighbourhood. In a place where thousands of people pass through daily, every improvement in air quality makes a difference.

Reliable supply for large projects

Large infrastructure projects demand reliable partners. Delivering a roof of this scale requires more than design ambition, it demands a partner who can guarantee supply without delays. Thanks to its extensive nursery network, Sempergreen maintains one of the largest stock positions in Europe, allowing thousands of square metres of vegetation blankets to be delivered directly from stock. For Rotterdam The Hague Airport, this meant the entire roof could be installed quickly and efficiently, meeting tight construction schedules and ensuring the building opened on time. Reliability in supply is not a luxury for projects of this scale, it is essential.

A view that inspires

For travellers, the green roof adds a surprising dimension to their journey. As planes take off or land, passengers glimpse the lush vegetation from above, a clear visual signal that sustainability is part of the airport’s identity. From ground level, the vegetation softens the new architecture and enhances the sense of calm inside the hall. The roof demonstrates that infrastructure can be functional and welcoming at the same time.

A valuable addition to the airport landscape

With the expansion now complete, Rotterdam The Hague Airport combines efficient passenger flows with a building that is sustainable, resilient and future-ready. The Sempergreen Sedum roof contributes to biodiversity, cleaner air and passenger comfort, while proving that even large-scale infrastructure can become part of the solution to urban challenges. Backed by Sempergreen’s expertise and reliable stock, the project shows how nature and aviation can share the same space and how even an airport roof can take on a greener role in the city’s landscape.

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