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In harmony with nature – the first car wash with intelligent rainwater management and a solar green roof

An unusual car wash has been available in Ochtrup for some time now: The wi-wash car wash on Hauptstraße is equipped with a greened hall roof, offering many advantages. An unusual car wash has been available in Ochtrup for some time now: the wi-wash car wash on Hauptstraße is not only impressive because of its technically sophisticated and high-performance equipment, which offers everything needed for the perfect washing and care of vehicles. In harmony with nature, the entire hall roof has also been greened and equipped with a solar system. This has many advantages. The car wash, which belongs to the Wischemann Group, is probably the only car wash whose roof is completely greened. The idea came from Optigrün international AG, the market leader in green roofs and a long-standing customer service. For many years, Wischemann has been producing a large part of the drainage panels developed by Optigrün for their green roof systems. It was a logical consequence for Ingo Wischemann, builder and owner of the Wischemann Group, the most important plastics specialist for innovative thermoformed parts and thermoforming processes in Europe, to use the advantages of green roofs for the washing park and thus to build sustainably at the same time. Intelligent rainwater management The greening of the hall roof was carried out using the water-retention roof system developed by Optigrün. The system for different types of green roofs can retain large amounts of rainwater – in this case up to 75,000 litres. The WRB 80F water-retention boxes used here are 80 mm high plastic hollow bodies that are used in the drainage level. With the help of the Optigrün Smart Flow Control, an intelligently server-controlled throttle, a defined outflow of the water as well as a permanent water accumulation in the retention boxes is determined. In this way, the retention area is divided into a temporary and a permanent water reservoir. The stored water is transported via capillary bridges into the fleece that lies on top of the retention boxes. The water is distributed over the entire surface via the fleece and keeps the overlying substrate layer moist. Thus, the precipitation water is available to the vegetation for evaporation or can also be used in the washing park. The temporary storage tank in the retention area is emptied with a long delay when needed – for example, during a predicted rain event – via the throttle operated by an intelligent control system. In this way, low discharge restrictions can be adhered to and protection against flooding is provided even during rain events with large annualities.  Advantages of a green roof A green roof not only binds CO2 and particulate matter, but also acts as insulation. In winter it protects against the cold and in summer the building and the surrounding air do not get as hot as with ungreened buildings. In addition, a green roof protects the roof cladding from damage caused by the effects of heat/cold and hail. Evaporation via the drought-resistant vegetation contributes to maintaining the natural water balance and at the same time lowers the ambient temperature. In addition, the sewer system is relieved, drains can be reduced, sewer pipes can be made smaller and stormwater overflow basins can be saved. A retention green roof also has a positive effect on biodiversity and the microclimate. In addition, the green roof provides a habitat for flora and fauna. Green electricity from the roof for the charging columns In terms of sustainability, however, the construction of the car wash was not just about using rainwater. Rather, a photovoltaic system was also installed on the roof. The combination of green roof and photovoltaics does not represent a conflict of objectives but is the ideal symbiosis for a sustainable development. Thus, the roof area of the car wash not only offers space for the expansion of renewable energies. Rather, the combination of green roof and solar roof increases the economic and ecological functionality of the building. This is because the efficiency of energy generation from solar modules decreases with increasing temperatures. The green roof, however, increases the efficiency because the temperature of the modules rises more slowly due to the evaporative cooling of the vegetation. The electricity, which is generated in a resource-saving way, can be stored on site by six storage units so that it can be used as needed or fed into the electricity grid. For example, the temporarily stored electricity can be used by customers at the e-charging station while they are vacuuming. This is an innovative solution for solar green roofs. The Optigrün-Solar WRB system used on the roof of the car wash is a load-bearing solar elevation that is fixed in place by the green roof structure to prevent wind suction. Thus, no penetration of the roof is necessary, which in turn avoids damage to the roof cladding. The Optigrün-System Solar WRB consists of an aluminium base plate on which the water retention box is placed. Brackets used as module supports are inserted and screwed into the supports of the base plate. The individual elements are connected with the help of quick-assembly module rails. The solar elevation is then ballasted with substrate. The clear advantage of ballasted solar elevations is that the roof cladding does not have to be penetrated. Damage to the roof cladding and consequent repair work or leaks are thus ruled out. For care and maintenance work, the Optigrün- Optisafe ALS, a rope-guided restraint system, was used as fall protection. Up to two people with their protective equipment can be suspended here at the same time. The washing park in Ochtrup shows in an impressive way that with good planning and the right system the effects of climate change can be mitigated. More details: Owner: Wischemann Group Planning: Dorin-Immo GmbH & Co. KG Execution of Greenroof: Marcel Nadorf GmbH Supply of solar green roof and planning support: Optigrün international AG. © Optigrün international AG © Optigrün international AG © Optigrün international AG © Optigrün international AG Project details: Car Wash

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01/01/2023 No Comments
Projects

Greening projects in Philadelphia, highlighted at the Cities Alive Conference, 16-19 Oct 2022

Downtown Philadelphia: Project “the Arthouse”, a new highrise building. For the apartment owner, available are not only the typical amenities, such as a pool deck. Also available is a roof garden with various urban gardening spaces. “A new trend in urban greening” The old Silk factory: Back yard roof gardens, private roof spaces with an exiting skyline view to downtown Philadelphia. discover more Philadelphia, for more than 10 years, has been known for it’s rainwater policy. Cira Green is a public open roof park on a multi store garage. It is equiped with an extra drain layer to maximise the local water retention. It is open all day, free to the citizens to enjoy sykline and plantings. A number of Living walls and climbers highlight the new trend in urban greening. Here an example at the Museum of Independance in the museum quarter in Philadelphia. Cities Alive ForumYear: 2022City: PhiladelphiaLocation: USA

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12/08/2022 No Comments
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“A building as a powerhouse of creativity”- Axel Springer’s new building in Berlin

With the new Axel Springer building in Berlin, Axel Springer SE is following the current paradigm shift in the world of work. With the new Axel Springer building in Berlin, Axel Springer SE is following the current paradigm shift in the world of work. Work is being rethought today, with value creation being understood in such a way that every employee is empowered to develop his or her full potential. This presents employers with special challenges. Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer SE, accordingly formulated the objective for the new office complex: “With the new building, we wanted to create a symbol and an accelerator of our own change. The brief, long before Corona, was to answer the question why office space is still needed at all in the digital age. Rem Koolhaas has succeeded spectacularly. Open multifunctional spaces that allow maximum flexibility of use. Avant-garde architecture as a magnet for encounters and communication. A house as a powerhouse of creativity.” The ambitious project was launched as a planning competition with 18 architecture offices. The decision was then made in Spring 2014 in favour of the design by Rem Koolhaas of the Dutch office: Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA). The new cube-shaped Axel Springer building in Berlin extends over the Lindenpark site, in the heart of the former newspaper district, with a built-up area of around 9,100 m². It complements the Axel-Springer-Kiez, the ensemble of various premises at the headquarters of the media and technology company. The new building is located on the former course of the inner-German border, which runs symbolically right through the building. Bringing the divisions and brands together in the new building enables better networking and knowledge exchange among them. The extraordinary architecture not only stands for the future of work, but it is also a symbol for the digital and cultural transformation of Axel Springer. Greened event areas on the roof of the office building: Tinted glass surfaces characterise the façade of the light-flooded office building. At the same time, the used roof area offers an attractive space for events. The greenery transforms the roof area into a green oasis in the middle of the city. With this in mind, an attractive roof garden was created, which offers the more than 5,500 employees in the Axel Springer neighbourhood the opportunity to spend their lunch break or after-work events in the green. Various event areas have been created for this purpose. Long paths between the green spaces invite to go for a walk – or to visit the “REM”, the gastronomic offer spread over three containers and named after the architect Rem Koolhaas. The roof surface slopes downwards to the outside towards the drive-in system. The slope is executed with the help of the Optigrün system solution pitched roof with thrust protection and extensive greening. In the middle of the roof are the Optigrün system solutions Garden Roof and Landscape Roof, partly with substrate heights over 40 cm for intensive green roofs, which also allow the planting of trees. The Optigrün FKD 60BO drainage and water storage elements used here have a high water storage capacity, prevent waterlogging through the rapid drainage of excess water and thus ensure the irrigation of the vegetation. The Optigrün FKD 10 drainage elements, which are also installed, ensure a high drainage capacity under the accessible traffic routes and areas.    Roof Accessibility/Amenity: The employees of the media and technology company already use the roof garden extensively and enjoy the green oasis in the city. Especially during the extreme temperatures in summer, the green roof provides a pleasant environment. The evaporation through the greenery reduces the temperatures on and around the building. At the same time, the greenery binds CO2 and fine dust. And the green roof, which has grown well in the meantime, also provides an additional habitat for flora and fauna. Green Roof/Wall System: Optigrün System Solution Garden Roof and Optigrün System Solution Landscape Roof Project owners & coordinators: Owner: Office for Metropolitan Architecture OMA, Rotterdam, Architekt Rem Koolhaas (Designer)Axel Springer SE Green Space Planning: Wiggenhorn & Van den Hövel, Hamburg Execution of gardening and landscaping: Klaus Hildebrandt GmbH, Hamburg Supply of green roofs and planning support: Optigrün international AG  © Optigrün international AG © Optigrün international AG © Optigrün international AG © Optigrün international AG © Optigrün international AG © Optigrün international AG © Optigrün international AG © Optigrün international AG   More information: Optigrün System Solution Garden Roof & Optigrün System Solution Landscape Roof Year: 2021 City: Berlin Contact: Optigrün’s Website Optigrün’s Facebook Optigrün’s Instagram Optigrün’s LinkedIn

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09/23/2022 No Comments
© GKR Hydro GmbH
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Living Building Envelop in the North of Italy

New office building built as solid timber construction following the cradle to cradle principles in the North of Italy. © Partner und Partner Architekten The façade is designed with continuous planters on each level, providing a habitat for various climbing/trailing plants to provide a sunshade for the office. The planters are custom-made from powder-coated stainless steel and equipped with the Hydro Profi Line® Planting system to optimize water consumption, irrigation, structural loads and required planter profile. Water consumption: through the planting system’s architecture, water consumption is significantly lowered (by up to 80% compared to conventional planting systems). Irrigation: the planting system comes with a substrate-free water reservoir in each planter. Therefore, the planters themselves function as an irrigation system. On each level, one planter is attached to the non-pressurized irrigation supplying all other planters on the same level through an overflow mechanism (following the rice-terrace-principle). Structural loads: the loads can be split into the water-saturated substrate, the water reservoir at maximum water level and the planting system. In total: app. 75 kg/running meter (thereof water 24kg/running meter, water-saturated substrate app. 30 kg per running meter, the planting system itself, and the planter around 15 kg/running meter). Conventional loads around 300 kg per running meter and more. Planter profile: due to the triggering of mainly fine root growth, the profile of the planters can be reduced to a minimum. In this case 30 cm x 30 cm (conventionally rather 50 cm x 60 cm) Architects: Partner und Partner ArchitektenLandlord: ekos GmbH Green Roof/Wall System: Hydro Profi Line® PlantersNumber of Green roofs / Walls on Property: App. 200 running meter of climbing plants in special fadace-mounted planters © GKR Hydro GmbH © GKR Hydro GmbH   Date: Nov 2021City: VahrnLocation: Plattnerstrasse 4 owner website contact

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05/12/2022 No Comments
Projects

Green Roof Maia Forum

Images: © Neoturf The potential to promote biodiversity in cities is one of the great advantages of green roofs. These can be designed as connecting points of green infrastructure and habitats for species existing in other areas of cities or as habitats for species that are generally less mobile. A focus on the promotion of biodiversity The potential to promote biodiversity in cities is one of the great advantages of green roofs. These can be designed as connecting points of green infrastructure and habitats for species existing in other areas of cities or as habitats for species that are generally less mobile. The design concept for the green roof of the Forum da Maia was developed simultaneously with the analysis of the space. Due to the characteristics of the building and the educational character that was intended in the project, a simple and naturalistic design was chosen with a focus on the promotion of biodiversity, which maximizes the vegetation areas and allows the sporadic visit of visitors in a non-invasive way. The concept for the green roof of the Maia Forum is particularly materialized in the modelling of the terrain and the composition of the vegetation, mostly indigenous and with species that are especially effective in promoting biodiversity. The curves of the main path, naturalized with stabilized gravel, and the naturalistic character of the plantations and species chosen deliberately contrast with the rigid and formal character of the building. The large vegetation around the building and present in all areas of the roof completes the composition serving as a green frame. Regarding vegetation, this proposal prioritizes native species highly adapted to the climate of the region and promoters of biodiversity, such as Verbena bonariensis, Thymus serpyllum and Corynephorus canescens. Its textures, cuts and flowering provide a pleasant visual composition, which has sensorial interest throughout the year: greener and exuberant in spring/summer and more brownish and golden in autumn/winter. In addition to providing all the typical benefits of green roofs, it is intended that the space serves as an object of environmental education for different audiences and of contemplation / occasional use for workers in the municipality and their visits. This roof is intended to function as a living laboratory and, for this, thermal and humidity sensors were installed along the various layers that compose it, as well as a weather station that are interconnected and will be monitored by ITeCons technicians. The project also uses a green roof system of ecological design and 100% national production, based on expanded cork agglomerates. This system is the result of a 3-year research project (“Green Urban Living – GUL”) between Neoturf, Amorim, ANQIP and ITeCons, funded by the European community. Green walls: NeoturfYear: 2021City: MaiaLocation: Maia Forum owner website more information

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02/25/2022 No Comments
Projects

Indoor living wall for Beringea office in London

Green walls: Sempergreen Designers: Mowat & Co Installation by Inleaf Year: 2021 City: London Location: Beringea Office owner website Images: © Chris Horwood and Mowat & Co The Beringea office in London has undergone a major refurbishment designed by Mowat & Co. The aim of the renovation for the venture capitalist company is to establish a nature to human connection. It was extremely important to turn the traditional office into a hub that creates a sense of calm, warmth, openness and belonging. One of the important aspects that contributed to this matter, is the installed living green wall. This provides a pleasant working environment, it contributes to a more positive state of mind and improves productivity. Green environment promotes a healthy indoor climate and increases productivity The work nature of venture capitalists can be very demanding and tends to be a high pressure working environment. The living wall supports to increase the feeling of well-being, as greenery offers relaxation and reduces stress. Moreover, the inclusion of a living wall and greenery in the office can result in a 15% increase in productivity. The plants in a living wall can filter particulate matter from the air and convert CO2 into oxygen. The use of a living green wall is a valuable addition to the interior of any office.  Number of Green roofs / Walls on Property: 1 green wall, 38,35 m² Green Roof/Wall System: SemperGreenwall Indoor

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01/25/2022 No Comments
Projects

McDonald’s created a green flagship restaurant in Orlando, Florida

Images first and last: ©Sempergreen Services LLC.Images others: ©Kate Joyce/Ross Barney Architects Green walls: Sempergreen Year: 2020 City: Orlando, Florida, USA owner website McDonald’s has opened a sustainable flagship restaurant at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. With this pilot project, they’re aiming to have the first energy-neutral fast food restaurant in the world. The restaurant’s many eco-friendly features include two SemperGreenwalls covering almost 185 square meters. The first energy-neutral fast food restaurant in the world McDonald’s has opened a sustainable flagship restaurant at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. With this pilot project, they’re aiming to have the first energy-neutral fast food restaurant in the world. The restaurant’s many eco-friendly features include two SemperGreenwalls covering almost 185 square meters. The restaurant has been designed by Ross Barney Architects and architectural and engineering firm CPH. Not only were the living walls included as an impressive design feature, they also offer environmental benefits like reducing water runoff, cooling the air in- and outside the building, and stimulating local biodiversity. Green living walls year-round The designers have also been involved in the plant choices for the SemperGreenwalls. These have been tailored to the subtropical climate of Orlando, including native Floridian plants that require less water. To keep the facades green all year round, they have been equipped with the unique Sempergreen Plant Care System. This web-based system allows the walls to be monitored remotely and ensures that the plants are provided with the correct amount of water and nutrients.  Sustainability measures McDonald’s Flagship The building also contains plenty of other environmentally-friendly features. On the roof, over a 1.000 solar panels and solar glass have been installed to run the whole restaurant on sustainable energy. At the ground level, permeable paving has been used to enable better water management on-site. The data and experiences from this pilot restaurant in Walt Disney World Orlando will be a source of information for McDonald’s global sustainability efforts. Besides working towards their goal of lowering their CO2 emissions by 36% between 2015 and 2030, the fast food chain also wants to inform its customers about the importance of sustainability. Therefore, the restaurant offers fun green amenities, like informative games and bikes which customers can use to generate electricity and light up the McDonald’s logo. The lit arches of the ‘M’ create a beautiful contrast with the green walls surrounding them. Architects/Designers: Ross Barney Architects and CPHNGreen walls on property: 2 green walls, 185 square metersGreen wall system: SemperGreenwall Outdoor

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07/19/2021 No Comments
Projects

Boathouse Trboje – Catering facility next to the river

The Boathouse Trboje is simple structure build to provide catering to all those who spend time doing sports on the Sava River (kayaking, supping,…) as well as for those who like countryside cycling and stop here to relax for a while in the cool shadows on the trees. Totally incorporated green roof The Boathouse Trboje is simple structure build to provide catering to all those who spend time doing sports on the Sava River (kayaking, supping,…) as well as for those who like countryside cycling and stop here to relax for a while in the cool shadows on the trees. The owner wanted to embed nature in to the project in order to minimize the disturbance to this area. The structure is lightweight, designed from wood so owner was looking also for a lightweight, easy and quickly to install green roof solution that should require minimal maintenance. The prerequisite was also to totally incorporate green roof in to the wooden structure without and visible non-natural elements like edge profiles or other green roof edge elements. The solution for the challenge was Urbanscape Green Premium High system with high storm-water retention capacity which can provide sufficient water storage during the long dry summer periods. It was set-up on root-resistant EPDM waterproofing membrane, installed by investor and hand cut to follow the roof edge curvature. The roof is a great fusion with the surroundings and has a passive cooling effect. Designer: UrbanscapeYear: 2020

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07/12/2021 No Comments
Projects

Green island in the city with building greening

All pictures © Optigrün international AG Green island in the centre of Düsseldorf instead of a city motorway – building greening makes it possible. Location: Kö-Bogen IICity: Düsseldorf / GermanyDate:  2020 Designer/Project owner: Ingenhoven architects, Jointventure CENTRUM Düsseldorf and B&L Group HamburgRoof/Wall Slope: 3750 sqm/30000 sqm  Europe’s largest green facade The completion of Kö-Bogen II marks the end of a comprehensive urban redevelopment in the centre of Düsseldorf. Where a bustling overpass and the grey concrete roof of the underground car park on Gustaf-Gründgens-Platz spoiled the look of the city centre in 2013, you can now find Europe’s largest green facade. Patches of trees, seating, a lawn area and restaurants opposite the newly built office and commercial building now invite people to spend some time here. The 27 m high building measuring around 41,000 m² was designed by Düsseldorf-based architect Christoph Ingenhoven. The Kö-Bogen II complex is not only intended to create an outstanding building with architecture that shapes the city, but a comprehensive, sustainable concept should also be implemented for climate protection. After all, the consequences of climate change are clear to see everywhere: Urban heat islands and urban flash flooding. All consequences of the steady increase in soil sealing. According to the German Environment Agency, 56 ha (approx. 40 football pitches) of untouched nature is sealed with roads, living space and industrial sites every day in Germany, thus removing it from the natural water cycle. The natural water cycle – precipitation, drainage, evaporation – is hugely disrupted by this. High-density construction and soil sealing transform cities into heat stores. Causes and problems specifically in urban areas Sealing surfaces causes stormwater, which evaporates from natural surfaces, to drain away from the sealed surface much more quickly and in an uncontrolled manner. The drained stormwater is not evaporated. However, the evaporation of stormwater binds a large amount of energy, which is introduced into our habitat by sunlight, in the form of latent (not sensible) heat. This means the energy used for the stormwater evaporation process is energy that is transported out of our habitat, thus creating a cooling effect. If energy is not transported out of our habitat with stormwater, it results in urban heat islands. Green sloping facade The green sloping facade of the building complex with a hornbeam hedge comprises 30,000 hornbeams that were planted in Optigrün planters. This corresponds to a impressive length of 8 kilometres. The canopy of the facade measuring over 4 football pitches is an immense energy converter. The greenery prevents the facade from heating to up to 70 degrees with intense sunlight and this heat from going back into the ambient air. Almost half of the solar energy is converted into water vapour. Due to the evaporation that takes place, the ambient air is cooled and the typical urban gap in the natural water cycle is closed. With Kö-Bogen II, an attractive green concept has been implemented in Düsseldorf which sustainably demonstrates an ecological benefit: with the help of evaporation, the foliage of the hornbeams cools the ambient temperature, binds to fine dust, takes in CO2 and produces oxygen. Designer: Optigrün international AGYear: 2020City: Düsseldorf, Germany owner website

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07/07/2021 No Comments
Projects

Ilhapura Green Roof

Ilhapura Green Roof – Vila dos Atletas – accommodation for athletes of the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. A total of 24 towers with 11,235m2 – the largest set of green roofs in a single development in Latin America. Extensive FLAT System by Instituto Cidade Jardim cultivated with natural organic compost and native succulent species mixed with Portullaca stems.

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06/16/2021 No Comments
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