Sustainable church with sloping green roof

In the Hoog Dalem district of Gorinchem, a new church has emerged that melds heritage, sustainability, and community. Featuring a steeply pitched 500 m² Sempergreen green roof, solar panels, and an energy-efficient design, the building stands as a landmark that respects the past while indicating the future.

Proven on steep roofs

Sempergreen’s system ensures stability and thriving vegetation, even on steep inclines.

Green Boosts Solar

Vegetation cools the roof surface, boosting the performance of 30 solar panels.

Immediate green impact

Pre-grown Sedum mats provide 90% coverage immediately, with minimal maintenance.

An iconic church with a living roof

In the growing residential district of Hoog Dalem in Gorinchem, a new church has taken shape that is as much about identity and sustainability as it is about function. Commissioned by the Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN), the building was designed by RoosRos Architects and realized in collaboration with Burgland Construction. With a limited budget but a strong ambition, the project team set out to deliver a high-quality, iconic church that could stand as a beacon for the neighborhood. The result is striking, thanks to a 500 m² steeply sloping green roof supplied by Sempergreen and installed by Sight Landscaping. The church now combines architectural beauty with ecological function.

Echoes of the Hollandse Waterlinie

Gorinchem is no ordinary Dutch town. As a historic fortress city, it once formed part of the Hollandse Waterlinie, a defense line where dikes, canals, and forts were used to protect the land. The client specifically wished to weave this history into the new church. By embedding the building into a slope and covering it with a sloping green roof, the design echoes the fortified ramparts of the past. The result is a contemporary building that carries the memory of its landscape and heritage.

A sloping roof that works hard

One of the most striking features is the sloping green roof, created with 500 square meters of Sempergreen’s Pitched Green Roof system. Installed by Sight Landscaping, this roof is not just a visual highlight but also an ecological and technical solution that strengthens the character of the building and its surroundings.

The roof incline posed no problem for Sempergreen’s proven pitched green roof system. This green roof buildup is designed for steep inclines and secures the vegetation, stores water and nutrients, and ensures a lush green appearance from day one. With pre-cultivated Sedum blankets, anti-shear measures, and mineral wool substrate, the vegetation remains stable, healthy, and green throughout the year. Over 90% coverage at delivery meant the roof was instantly lush, resistant to erosion, and easy to maintain. Unlike systems based on loose cuttings, this approach guarantees performance from day one.

Green Roof and Solar Synergy

The Sedum vegetation on the roof plays several roles at once. First, it protects the waterproofing membrane against UV radiation, rain and temperature fluctuations, extending the life of the building envelope. Second, it moderates temperatures around the building. This last point is particularly important because the church roof is also fitted with 30 solar panels. The cooling effect of the vegetation ensures that the panels perform more efficiently, generating a higher yield over the year. In this way, the roof becomes a smart combination of greenery and renewable energy, a synergy that makes the building more resilient and sustainable.

Designed for Sustainability and Flexibility

The building is completely gas-free and nearly energy neutral, equipped with a heat pump, the previously mentioned 30 solar panels, and a CO₂-controlled ventilation system with heat recovery. Triple glazing and top-tier insulation minimize energy requirements, while all materials are reusable, demonstrating a commitment to circular construction. The Sedum roof collects rainwater, mitigates heat stress, and enhances biodiversity. Collectively, these features prepare the church for the future, both technically and environmentally.

A Building Approaching Energy Neutrality

The green roof is just one aspect of a wider sustainability strategy. The church features triple glazing, which enhances insulation and diminishes heat loss, and a heat pump system, which offers energy-efficient heating and cooling. Together, these initiatives enable the building to operate at nearly energy-neutral levels, lowering both costs and environmental impact.

Light, transparency and community

Architecturally, the church is characterized by openness. Large glazed facades at the front and back flood the interior with daylight, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere. The transparency also symbolizes a church that looks outward, connecting with its community rather than retreating into itself.

The facade was constructed using FALK panels with a block profile design, giving the building a robust yet modern expression. Inside, several partitions are movable, allowing the space to be reconfigured for different uses. Beyond worship, the church can host gatherings, concerts, meetings, and community events, a flexibility that ensures the building will remain relevant as the needs of the neighborhood evolve. Already, a second congregation has joined, underlining the building’s broad appeal.

Collaboration that Paid Off

The new Hoog Dalem church is more than a place of worship. It is a sustainable, multifunctional, and context-sensitive building that tells a story about Gorinchem’s past while looking towards the future. For RoosRos Architecten and Burgland Bouw, the project is a testament to teamwork under pressure. Rising material costs put the budget under strain, but close collaboration and short communication lines made it possible to deliver more quality for the same resources. As project architect Henk de Gelder put it: “the client is proud, the building is iconic, and the greatest compliment is seeing new communities embrace the space.”

Contractor Burgland Bouw B.V. and photo reportage by NoordzijFotografie.

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