LOLA

‘De Zaanse Helden’ in Zaandam is a new urban residential district where the landscape plays a central role in shaping the quality of life. The project adds 607 homes, designed by Havermans Hielkema Architecten, to the Westerwatering neighbourhood and is built upon a strong landscape concept that brings the ‘slagenlandschap’ (the historical agricultural landscape) back to life.

At the heart of the design is the nature‑inclusive, climate‑adaptive rooftop landscape, created by LOLA Landscape Architects in collaboration with Deltavormgroep. This green space lies like a ‘landscape archipelago’ on top of the parking structure and acts as an organising element between the residential buildings. The rooftop landscape offers a rich mosaic of planting, places to dwell, and routes inspired by the waterways and long, narrow plots of the traditional agricultural landscape.

The design creates a direct connection between city and landscape. A pedestrian bridge across the Houtveldweg links the district to the Molenpark and leads residents to the historic paltrok mill ‘De Held Jozua’ from 1719, which also served as an important source of inspiration for the landscape design. At the foot of the mill, the original agricultural landscape is still visible—forming the foundation for both the urban plan and the rooftop landscape.

The rooftop garden is conceived as an ‘ecological incubator’: biodiverse, green, and nature‑inclusive. Nesting boxes, native planting, and natural play elements bring residents closer to nature. A special feature is the wooden tower designed specifically for birds and insects, particularly the barn swallow. Numerous nesting boxes have also been integrated into the façades of the buildings.

With De Zaanse Helden, a living environment emerges in which landscape and architecture merge; where history is palpable within a new urban layer; and where residents are invited to live outdoors in a green, healthy, and future‑proof setting. It connects the adjacent windmill park, the buildings of De Zaanse Helden and Burano. A place where city and nature come together and where residents and neighbours can meet.

De Zaanse Helden is developed by Stebru together with Impact Vastgoed. The rooftop landscape was constructed by De Enk.