Mediamatic has its own urban agriculture system in the form of a hydroponics greenhouse at the Biotoop Dijkspark, just a short walk from Amsterdam Central Station. The greenhouse has gone through many transformations over the years, each reflecting our ongoing experimentation and curiosity about sustainable growing in the city.
We first started in 2012 at De Fabriek, where we built our first grow beds using aquaponics system — a way to grow plants and fish together in a closed loop. The fish would excrete ammonia, which bacteria transformed into nitrate, a nutrient used by the plants. When we moved to our current location in 2015, the aquaponics system moved with us and became part of the greenhouse you see today.
By 2024, after considering the ethical implications of keeping fish and facing some practical challenges, we decided to explore other approaches. For a while, we experimented with anthropoponics — using nutrients from human urine alongside canal water — before finally transitioning to hydroponics. This method uses only canal water and added nutrients to grow plants, making it efficient, flexible, and suitable for year-round cultivation.
Although our system has changed, our interest in aquaponics hasn’t disappeared — we still teach workshops on how to build one yourself. The greenhouse remains a living laboratory for research, trial, and change, reflecting Mediamatic’s broader approach: experimenting, learning, and adapting as we go, while contributing to the conversation on how cities of the future can grow food in regenerative and circular ways.
What we offer
Tours
If you are interested in a short tour of Hydroponics / Anthroponics greenhouse you can make an appointment by sending a mail to mail@mediamatic.nl.
Workshops
We regularly offer Building Aquaponic Systems workshops. Check our workshop calendar for dates.
Custom workshops / hiring a system for an exhibition or project
We offer consultancy sessions with our highly experienced team members in case you want advice or practical information and knowledge. These sessions can take place by phone, e-mail, or appointment. We offer a 30% cultural discount for schools, cultural organizations, students, and freelancers. Please contact mail@mediamatic.nl for more information and possibilities.
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