MVRDV’s “The Valley” Scoops Prestigious CTBUH Award for Pioneering Green Architecture
Rotterdam-based architectural firm MVRDV has once again garnered international acclaim, with their remarkable design, “The Valley,” receiving a significant accolade from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). This prestigious award recognizes “The Valley” as a groundbreaking example of how tall buildings can integrate nature and foster vibrant urban environments.
Located in Amsterdam’s Zuidas business district, “The Valley” is a mixed-use high-rise that challenges the traditional perception of office towers. Its distinctive, geology-inspired design features three towers, ranging from 67 to 100 meters, interwoven with a “green valley” of terraced gardens. This unique approach transforms an otherwise inhospitable urban landscape into a verdant oasis.
The CTBUH, renowned globally for its focus on tall buildings and urban development, honored “The Valley” with the “Best Tall Building under 100 meters” award at their annual awards ceremony. It also received an “Award of Excellence” in the “Best Tall Building in Europe” category, further cementing its status as a leader in contemporary architectural design.
What sets “The Valley” apart and caught the attention of the CTBUH jury is its audacious integration of nature within a high-density urban fabric. The building boasts over 271 young trees and shrubs and approximately 13,500 smaller plants, representing 220 different plant species. This ambitious landscaping, developed in collaboration with renowned landscape architect Piet Oudolf, is meticulously maintained by an automatic irrigation system and dedicated “façade gardeners,” ensuring a year-round lush appearance. Beyond aesthetics, this greenery promotes biodiversity with integrated bird and bat boxes, and insect hotels.
The building’s design is a testament to MVRDV’s innovative spirit and commitment to creating liveable, sustainable cities. While its outer shell presents a sleek, mirrored glass façade that blends with the corporate surroundings, the interior reveals a completely different character. Rugged stone terraces, reminiscent of craggy rock faces, unfold to create publicly accessible pathways that wind up through the “valley,” connecting various levels and fostering a sense of community. This public accessibility, from street level up to the central valley area on the fourth and fifth floors, is a key element in its success as an urban habitat.
“The Valley” is not just an architectural marvel; it’s a model for future urban development. It combines offices, residences, shops, catering, and cultural facilities, creating a truly mixed-use environment. Its energy performance surpasses local regulations, and it has achieved BREEAM-NL Excellent certification for its commercial spaces, underscoring its commitment to environmental responsibility.
The CTBUH award for “The Valley” highlights a growing global recognition of architecture that prioritizes human well-being and ecological integration within the urban realm. MVRDV’s visionary design serves as a powerful example of how tall buildings can contribute to a greener, more vibrant, and more connected city.