Sloterdijk is currently an area of remarkable contrasts. It features an international yet monofunctional office district combined with surprisingly soft areas such as Orlyplein and the Garden of BRET. A second striking characteristic of the area is its location in the middle of the green wedge called Bretten Zone.

Sloterdijk is a stony island located between Westerpark and the Bretten nature area, but it has the potential to become a fully-fledged part of this green network. Finally, Sloterdijk offers space for new initiatives. Vision and commitment are essential components in developing a district that, at present, offers little in the way of spatial quality. The contrasts, the green potential and the availability of space make Sloterdijk a place of unparalleled potential.

Floating Gardens is an iconic building that gives Sloterdijk a recognizable face towards Haarlemmerweg and Spieringhorn Park. Construction of the all-in-one school will strengthen Sloterdijk Centre as a mixed-use residential and office district. In view of its location beside the Bretten Zone, special attention has been given to the integration of the project into the landscape and to the green roof landscapes of Floating Gardens. To this end, the building is deliberately made up of layers of various size, thereby allowing green roof gardens to be made on various levels on the building, improving biodiversity in the city and the welfare of residents. In addition, a large overhang on the entrance side of the school acts as a generous lobby for the entrance to the park.

In Floating Gardens, the entire facade of the building contributes to sustainable living. The horizontal facade bands consist of unique, white solar panels and function as fixed sun blinds. Vertical printed glass panels provide the necessary acoustic measures, while wooden cladding and planters create a green appearance. In the facade, nature, renewable energy generation and aesthetic quality are combined, down to the last detail.