Commercial Real Estate, Haarlem
Type: Exterior facade insulation plaster, renovation, commercial building
Green facade surface: 313 m²

Project description:
This project serves as a showcase demonstrating that buildings can be insulated with green solutions. The developer’s goal was to create a green experience both inside and outside the building: insulation performance from within and a living green layer on the exterior facade. This contributes to a more pleasant working environment for tenants while also supporting local biodiversity.

The facade uses Mosscrete, a bioreceptive concrete technology developed by Respyre that enables moss to grow directly on building surfaces. Mosscrete is specifically engineered to create the right conditions for moss to establish itself on vertical facades, allowing existing buildings to be transformed into living green structures.

Beyond its visual impact, a moss-covered facade provides several functional benefits. Moss naturally retains moisture and air, which can help slow heat transfer through the facade. In addition, the moss layer can absorb and temporarily store rainwater, helping to reduce water runoff during heavy rainfall.

Unlike traditional plants, moss does not grow roots but attaches itself using rhizoids—tiny hair-like structures that allow it to adhere to surfaces without penetrating or damaging the underlying construction. This makes it particularly suitable for renovation projects like this commercial building in Haarlem.

Once established, the moss layer can grow largely autonomously with minimal maintenance. At the same time, the facade contributes to a nature-inclusive urban environment by creating microhabitats that support insects and small organisms, thereby enhancing local biodiversity.