Haagse Hendrik – Greening the City Together

In The Hague’s Spoorwijk district, 154 sustainable homes have been built for Haag Wonen by Heembouw and designed by Heren 5 Architects. With lush green façades and Sedum roofs by Sempergreen, Haagse Hendrik turns urban renewal into a living, breathing neighbourhood where people and nature thrive side by side.

Green façades that tell a story

The two SemperGreenwalls are the eye-catchers of Haagse Hendrik. Together, they add over 40 square metres of vertical greenery to the façades, featuring 17 carefully selected plant species. With 78 plants per square metre, the result was a fully vegetated wall from day one. Each plant plays its part, filtering fine dust, storing rainwater and providing nesting and feeding spots for urban wildlife. The automated Plant Care System monitors irrigation and nutrition remotely, keeping the façades vibrant in every season with minimal maintenance.

Biodiverse green roofs with lasting impact

The apartment building’s main roof is fitted with a Sedum-herb mix, while the shed roofs of the single-family homes feature lightweight Sedum trays. These living roofs absorb rainwater, insulate homes and contribute to local biodiversity. For the residents, they also offer beautiful green views — a visual reminder of how small surfaces can make a big environmental difference. Together, the roofs and façades turn Haagse Hendrik into a true ‘sponge neighbourhood,’ capable of managing heat and rainfall naturally.

A visual reminder of how small surfaces can make a big environmental difference

A collaborative approach to green building

The greening of Haagse Hendrik was made possible through close collaboration between Haag Wonen, Heembouw, Heren 5 Architects (now called Some Architects) and T&G Groep. As part of the project, students from ROC Mondriaan school were involved in masterclasses on nature-inclusive building. Their ideas helped shape the green fencing and roof design; a tangible example of how education, design and craftsmanship can work together for sustainable urban futures.

A model for future-proof housing

Haagse Hendrik shows how social housing can lead the way in climate adaptation. By greening façades, roofs and gardens, this neighbourhood mitigates heat stress, improves stormwater management and enhances mental wellbeing. It’s proof that sustainable design can be inclusive, affordable and inspiring, turning a once grey corner of the city into a model for urban renewal across the Netherlands.

Part of the sponge city movement

Projects like Haagse Hendrik are key examples of how cities can adapt to a changing climate. By integrating Sempergreen systems on both façades and rooftops, The Hague takes a clear step toward becoming a true sponge city;  a city that captures, filters and slowly releases rainwater instead of letting it rush into the sewers. Every square metre of green surface helps to cool the city, improve air quality and bring nature back into daily life. Haagse Hendrik proves that urban development and climate resilience can grow together, one wall and one roof at a time, perfectly in line with Sempergreen’s mission to Replant the Planet.