The Platform Utrecht: Nature-Inclusive MicroCity

As a dynamic and sustainable urban hub in the heart of Utrecht, The Platform promotes a healthy lifestyle with light, air, and greenery. Two large SemperGreenwalls bring nature back to the facade, a perfect city-nature harmony.

Cleaner Air

1 sq ft of living wall filters fine dust, absorbs 2.3 kg CO₂, and produces 1.7 kg oxygen per year.

Cradle to Cradle Certified

SemperGreenwall systems meet the highest standards for quality and sustainability, holding a Bronze-level Cradle to Cradle certification.

Extends facade lifespan

A living wall shields your facade from the sun, rain, wind, and temperature changes, extending its lifespan.

In the heart of Utrecht, The Platform has emerged as a vibrant mixed-use MicroCity for living, working, and leisure. Constructed above the Uithoflijn tram and bus terminal, adjacent to the station square, it presents a dynamic and sustainable urban hub. Designed by VenhoevenCS architecture + urbanism, the building fosters a healthy lifestyle through light, air, and abundant greenery. Two large SemperGreenwalls, installed by Sempergreen for BTL Realisatie, reintroduce nature to the façade, merging the neutral architecture with lush vertical life; a perfect synthesis of city and nature.

First nature inclusive residential building on this scale in the United States

In the urban environment, relatively little space is available for living greenery, especially in such a unique location near a public transport hub. However, The Platform is designed as a carrier for all kinds of greenery as if it were a natural landscape within the city and thus shows its nature-inclusive character. Two large living walls mark the entrance on both the ground and first floor. They instantly offer residents and visitors a pleasant atmosphere. The vertical gardens complement the four roof gardens, including a viewing garden, a park garden with picnic tables, and even an orchard. These gardens offer fantastic views over the station area and the historic city center. On this scale, it is probably the first nature-inclusive residential building that has been realized in the Netherlands.

"With relatively little space, we managed to incorporate living greenery into the urban environment. The combination of a modern and sharp building and the warmth of greenery is what makes this project special."

SemperGreenwalls with Irrigation System and Frost Protection

The two living walls from Sempergreen have been exclusively cultivated for this project. The planting schedule was compiled in careful consultation with the architect. Since the entrance is an unheated space, both living walls are planted with coordinated outdoor planting. The facades cover a total of 120 square meters. The building manager is completely relieved of plant care duties, thanks to the unique Sempergreen Plant Care System. This fully automatic irrigation system provides the plants with the necessary water and nutrients. Moreover, the system is equipped with frost protection.

Green offers numerous benefits for the city

In addition to creating a pleasant ambiance, green walls offer many other benefits for a building and its surroundings. For example, the greenery lowers the ambient temperature, which is particularly pleasant in the hot summers. CO2 is absorbed from the air and converted into oxygen. In addition, a SemperGreenwall has a sound-absorbing effect. It reduces the ambient noise in the busy city. Finally, the SemperGreenwalls enrich the biodiversity in the city; a living wall is like an oasis for bees, butterflies, and insects.

A self-sustaining city in the sky

The Platform’s design embodies the idea of a self-sufficient urban ecosystem. By combining housing, offices, hospitality, and shared facilities under one roof, it functions as a compact city within the city. Roof gardens and green walls not only enrich the architecture but also contribute to natural cooling, clean air, and biodiversity. The building’s thoughtful integration of mobility, community, and sustainability makes it a pioneering example of how mixed-use developments can shape healthier, greener urban living.

As The Platform is constructed on top of the new Uithoflijn station, the total project of more than 18,000 sqm has a minimum footprint of only 170 sqm at ground level. It almost seems as if the building has ‘grown’ into place.

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