Like many cities, Amsterdam is experiencing increasingly hot summers due to climate change and the urban heat island effect. In line with the city’s environmental goals—and in collaboration with the Municipality of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA)—Streetlife installed a Rough&Ready Linear Shade as a pilot project. The aim is to support research into reducing urban heat through greenery in locations where trees cannot be planted.
The 3-by-8-meter R&R Shade was placed on the Oosterdokskade, in front of the Amsterdam Public Library (OBA). The structure integrates seating and climbing plants to improve biodiversity, cooling, and air quality. Pergolas like these offer much-needed shade by reducing direct sun exposure in streets, plazas, and other public areas. When covered with climbing greenery, they further support natural cooling through shade and evapotranspiration, lowering surrounding temperatures.
Supporting Climbing Green & Biodiversity
Pergolas act as living frameworks for climbing plants such as wisteria, ivy, and clematis—enhancing the visual and ecological value of urban spaces. This additional plant layer helps absorb CO₂, filter pollutants, and improve air quality.
Vertical greenery also supports biodiversity, offering shelter for birds, pollinators, and other small urban wildlife. The integrated TreeTec® Bottom-Up water system improves water circulation, significantly reducing watering and maintenance needs during the growing season.
Placemaking & Enhancing Public Space
As a design element, Rough&Ready Linear Shades help define and enrich public space, making it more inviting and visually cohesive. The modular design allows the Shade’s size to be optimized for each location. Seating benches, picnic tables, walls, or planters can be added underneath, enhancing both usability and aesthetic value.
Whether in parks, courtyards, or along canals, these structures create comfortable gathering spaces, stimulate social interaction, and add a sense of identity to the urban environment.
In Amsterdam, the Rough&Ready Linear Shades are more than decorative—they are functional, modular solutions that support urban cooling, greening, and placemaking.
| Location | Amsterdam Public Library, Amsterdam (NL) |
| Delivery | 2025 |
| Client | Municipality of Amsterdam, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences |