Working in a lush green burst of riverside nature, woven into the basalt, asphalt and concrete fabric of the Port of Rotterdam.

Den Hartogh Basecamp is located on a prominent cape along the River Maas at the Sluisjesdijk in the vibrant Port of Rotterdam. Den Hartogh is one of the world’s leading logistics service providers, a family-run business that’s been around since 1920. Their new basecamp on this side is reborn from previously unremarkable warehouses along the water, by architect office Braaksma& Roos.

The site, once dominated by asphalt, concrete and functional warehouses, is transformed into a naturalistic landscape where the toughness of the port meets the softness of riverside nature. It is a setting defined by wind, vastness and the industrial scale of the harbor. Large boats drift by where containers are stacked like Lego bricks in an immeasurable landscape. Yet, amid concrete, asphalt and basalt embankments, nature finds its way. In the folds and cracks of the harbor’s hard lines, it creates soft forms, gentle slopes, mudflats and small beaches. River dune plants, reeds, trees and flowers emerge — settling into a quintessentially Rotterdam, grand and compelling port landscape.
This contrast formed the foundation for the design of the green courtyard and outdoor spaces, the parking area, building entrances and quay of Den Hartogh’s Basecamp. The hard, industrial world of basalt, asphalt and concrete meets the dormant power of riverside nature, breaking through the black basalt, asphalt and concrete slabs like a fresh green eruption. This approach draws inspiration from the surrounding harbour, where plants reclaim cracks in the quay and nearby riverbanks evolve into softer, dune-like environments. The result is a cohesive landscape that reflects the identity of the port while introducing a more human and experiential quality.

At the center of the building, the old loading dock is transformed into a sheltered green courtyard. It is a sunny, lush and unexpectedly green world that visually flows indoors through the surrounding glass façades of the restaurant and the sports and workspaces. It serves as the social heart of the building. The organic pattern of gently sloping green islands set within black gravel and boulders creates larger and smaller informal spaces where employees can work, take breaks, meet and relax. Flexible furniture allows the garden to adapt throughout the day, while diverse planting ensures seasonal visual variation and year-round appeal. Adjacent to the green courtyard, a slightly raised floating terrace forms a natural extension of the restaurant space inside. String lights stretched across the inner courtyard give it a beer garden-like vibe, while on the long, grey winter days, combined with the evergreen pine trees, they create a cozy December atmosphere amid the otherwise harsh Rotterdam harbors.

The quay is robust and tough, featuring a concrete boulevard laid over a continuous basalt embankment. It echoes the scale and openness of the harbor. Long concrete paths and rows of trees emphasize its linear, structured character and frame views over the water and skyline. The quay remains largely free of program, allowing the experience of wind, space and movement to dominate.

The parking area is reorganized into a clear and efficient layout. Ecological strategies are integrated by introducing planting zones between parking bays, allowing water infiltration while greening the area. This ensures that the experience of the Basecamp begins at arrival, with greenery framing the building and the concrete walking-grid guiding visitors toward entrances and the waterfront.

The planting strategy focuses on robust, native species suited to wind, salt and displaced soils, creating a naturalistic landscape where the atmosphere varies every season. Goal is a low key maintenance landscape where natural processes can do their work and a lush environment flourishes, boosting the local biodiversity.

Within the broader context of the Waalhaven and Stadshavens development, the project contributes to improving spatial quality and strengthening the relationship between the port, city and river. Den Hartogh Basecamp creates a distinctive working environment where openness and intimacy coexist, offering a sequence of outdoor spaces where employees can work, meet and unwind within a landscape shaped by both the resilience of nature and the strength of the port. Rotterdam toughness and the fresh softness of native river nature come together on this cape along the Maas

Credits:
Client: Den Hartogh Logistics B.V.
Project Management: CAS Housing Advice and Project Management
Architect & Integrated Design: Braaksma & Roos Architecture
Landscape Architect: Buro Harro
Landscape execution: VIC Landscaping
Photography: Sebastian van Damme, Kester den Hartogh

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