At the Future Facade event, Sempergreen will be showcasing their products in Hall 9, booth A016. The company will, of course, bring several planted panels to Future Facade so that visitors can get a sense of what a green facade looks like, feels like, and even smells like. “People are always impressed.”
“Contractors used to be very hesitant to work with living materials,” says Paul Hakkenberg of Sempergreen. “We experienced that firsthand when we started thirty years ago. And then the system involved water too—generally a big no-no for them, as they were afraid it would cause leaks. But over the years, our system has proven itself, and the construction industry now sees things very differently. Green facades help combat urban heat stress and have a positive impact on both physical and mental wellbeing. On top of that, our system can serve as an exterior shell, which helps reduce costs. All major advantages.”
Rock Wool
The green facades Sempergreen creates all over the world are based on a panel system in which plants grow on rock wool. “So no soil or substrate,” Hakkenberg explains, “but rock wool, because it allows plants to root firmly and securely. A strong root system means that hardly any plants need to be replaced. That’s a big plus, since you’d need scaffolding or a lift to do so. The less maintenance required, the better. Above each row of panels, we install a drip line for irrigation and liquid fertilization. Inside the panels, there’s a capillary mat that allows water and nutrients to gradually trickle down and spread evenly. This modular system gives us great flexibility. We can go around corners, create curves—basically follow the lines and contours of any building. It leads to beautiful results. In the thirty years we’ve been doing this, we’ve completed countless projects. And every single one is unique.”
Circular by Design
Hakkenberg is looking forward to making new connections at the trade fair. “We love working with architects because they shape the appearance of buildings. It’s important to understand what’s possible and where the real benefits of a green facade lie. For instance, they significantly contribute to sound reduction in urban environments. Using our panels can even help a project meet noise regulation requirements and obtain the necessary permits. Based on testing, our SemperGreenwall Indoor absorbs 85% of ambient noise when used as an interior wall. Our system also scores well in terms of circularity. We have a Cradle to Cradle certification, which fits within frameworks like BREEAM-NL. We use a lot of recycled materials: the capillary mat, for example, is made from recycled clothing; our aluminum is at least 75% recycled; and we use organic fertilizers. Not everything can be circular, but we’re doing our best and making great progress.”
Biodiversity
Hakkenberg is excited to present the Sempergreen system at Future Facade. “It truly is a win-win on many fronts. Rock wool is lightweight and very durable—our oldest facade is twenty years old and still looks great—and as mentioned, it has the added benefit of sound absorption. Plus, the greenery lost during new construction (like meadows or fallow land) is restored vertically. That can help sway permit authorities too. Just like the fact that 200 m² of green facade provides the same oxygen output and CO₂ absorption as eighteen mature trees. It also boosts biodiversity and—did I mention the aesthetic appeal? It simply looks amazing.”
Info and Tickets
Visit Future Facade on May 7 and 8 at the Royal Jaarbeurs in Utrecht and meet Sempergreen in Hall 9, booth A016.
