Gorlaeus rooftop garden: from student project to green meeting spot
On top of the Gorlaeus Building’s bike parking sits a hidden green surprise: Leiden’s largest rooftop garden. Since this academic year, the garden has been open to all students and staff.
Even if you park your bike in the Gorlaeus bike parking every day, you might never notice it. Just above your head lies a lush mix of native plants. Biology students from the Rooftop Garden Society have been climbing the stairs on the right-hand side of the bike parking since spring – and now everyone is welcome to join them.
Green space above your head
What started as an idea during the Gorlaeus construction has grown into a biodiversity project. Biology students, including Harold Timans, developed the plan during the Biodiversity minor, under the guidance of lecturer Marco Roos. Master’s student Jop has been involved for three years: ‘Because the building was so solid, we could turn it into a green roof. The university and architects embraced the idea enthusiastically.’
Creating the garden wasn’t without its challenges. The roof couldn’t support a thick layer of soil, so a lightweight mix of lava rock and hydro pellets was used instead. Plant selection also required creativity: the roof gets a lot of sun and wind. Board member Fiep Kok says: ‘Sometimes something disappears within a week, but many species are doing surprisingly well.’
What’s growing up there?
The design of the rooftop garden is well thought out. There’s a vegetable garden with various fruits and vegetables, a strip of medicinal plants for bio-pharmaceutical enthusiasts, and several herbs. The rest of the space is planted with native Dutch species. At the back, there’s even a recreated peatland area. At some point, the team hopes to add a floral version of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, but that’s still a work in progress.
A garden with a vision
‘We didn’t just want a pretty roof,’ says Jop. The Rooftop Garden Society has a mission: to boost biodiversity and create a welcoming space for everyone. ‘Students and staff can come to relax, water plants or help out in the garden.’
There are plenty of plans for the future, including student projects related to the rooftop garden. The biologists also hope to monitor insects such as moths. ‘But first, let’s see how the garden develops,’ Jop laughs. ‘And whether everything survives the winter.’
Best break spot on campus?
What’s their favourite part of the garden? For Jop, it’s the rare cottongrass, with its fluffy white heads living up to its name. ‘Cottongrass usually only grows in very wet, nutrient-poor areas, which have almost disappeared in the Netherlands. We hope it blooms here next year.’ Fiep’s favourite is the vegetable garden: ‘Simply because you can actually eat from it.’
The gardeners invite everyone at the faculty to visit. ‘You don’t need green fingers. Many of us – there are about thirty volunteers now – had no gardening experience either. We’re discovering together what works. Just try and see what grows. Who knows – this might become the best break spot on campus.’