To restore the site’s biodiversity and address the challenges presented by polders, Park 20/20 incorporated sustainable design practices into all aspects of development from its transit-oriented layout to its careful stewardship of the environment. The plan is guided by the regenerative, waste-free “Cradle to Cradle” design philosophy introduced by William McDonough.

ASLA Honor Award Recipient, Park 20/20: A Cradle to Cradle Inspired Master Plan by William McDonough + Partners and Nelson Byrd Woltz
(Photo: William McDonough + Partners)

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Park 20/20’s polder land was previously used for agricultural purposes, which meant that only a few crops dominated the landscape. The new master plan helps restore the native ecosystem by creating interconnected green spaces in the form of community gardens, street plantings, and green roofs. These areas include native vegetation and effectively rejoin the landscape with a larger system of existing parks and wildlife habitats.

ASLA Honor Award Recipient, Park 20/20: A Cradle to Cradle Inspired Master Plan by William McDonough + Partners and Nelson Byrd Woltz
(Photo: William McDonough + Partners)

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To create a diverse cultural and economic community within a once-uniform landscape, Park 20/20 uses a mixed-use development approach to combine office space with restaurants, hotels, and a conference center. The layout also incorporates athletic facilities, daycare, a supermarket, and retail stores that not only help it attract a variety of people, but also make it an attractive and exciting work environment.

ASLA Honor Award Recipient, Park 20/20: A Cradle to Cradle Inspired Master Plan by William McDonough + Partners and Nelson Byrd Woltz
(Photo: Plan by William McDonough + Partners, rendering by DPI Animation House)

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Park 20/20 is strategically located within a 5-10 minute walk of two existing bus and rail stations. A network of sidewalks, garden paths, and canal boardwalks connects the center with the transit stations, providing safe and convenient access to the greater Amsterdam region.

ASLA Honor Award Recipient, Park 20/20: A Cradle to Cradle Inspired Master Plan by William McDonough + Partners and Nelson Byrd Woltz
(Photo: William McDonough + Partners)

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At its core, Park 20/20 uses a “closed loop” water-management system to treat and reuse wastewater. To accomplish this, building wastewater is directed to a central treatment facility where it is purified and then re-circulated to buildings for use in toilet flushing. Heat generated in the process is used to create hot water for the area’s hotel.

ASLA Honor Award Recipient, Park 20/20: A Cradle to Cradle Inspired Master Plan by William McDonough + Partners and Nelson Byrd Woltz
(Photo: William McDonough + Partners)

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In order to conserve energy, the designers determined the optimum building orientation by mapping the sun’s path throughout the day and year. This enabled them to angle buildings in a direction that maximized sun exposure during winter and shade during summer.

ASLA Honor Award Recipient, Park 20/20: A Cradle to Cradle Inspired Master Plan by William McDonough + Partners and Nelson Byrd Woltz
(Photo: William McDonough + Partners)

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Green roofs equipped with photovoltaic (PV) arrays provide the community with a renewable carbon-free energy source. Green roofs provide additional environmental benefits by absorbing and filtering stormwater runoff, increasing biodiversity, and reducing surface temperatures.

ASLA Honor Award Recipient, Park 20/20: A Cradle to Cradle Inspired Master Plan by William McDonough + Partners and Nelson Byrd Woltz
(Photo: Plan by William McDonough + Partners, rendering by DPI Animation House)

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