Creating urban nesting grounds for local species
With sponsorship from Interreg Öresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak, an EU programme investing in cross-border projects within Denmark, Sweden and Norway, we are taking our green facades prototype one step further, exploring urban habitats for locally endangered species.
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Director, Innovation and Sustainability, Partner
As part of the Green Sponge Buildings in Scandinavia, a pilot project investigating the effectiveness of green walls in urban environments in tackling climate change, we are exploring the addition of ecological infrastructure. In the form of habitat boxes, they will provide shelter and resources for locally endangered species.
Currently installed for observation at VIA University College, in Denmark, the habitat boxes are made of wood and Corten steel, welcoming common swifts and ground bees. Selected for their durability, the materials provide a sturdy structure while visually blending with the façade and the surrounding natural environment. The wooden box intended for ground bees will be filled with sandy clay soil, mimicking their natural nesting conditions, while the swift box offers sheltered cavities for the birds.
A key focus for this research is the exploration of microclimate conditions within the habitat boxes, including temperature fluctuations and humidity levels. In parallel, we are exploring plant selection strategies, ensuring the appropriate flora can provide foraging resources for wildlife, and cultivate a self-sustaining vertical ecosystem, contributing to the local urban biodiversity. These insights will guide the understanding of the suitability of the façade system for future iterations, accurately meeting the needs of the target species.
The habitat boxes are the natural next step for our innovative green facades prototype. In collaboration with BG Byggros and Komproment, and supported by the Danish Ministry of Environment, we developed add-on components to integrate vertical nature on the facades of existing structures. Designed as a modular system in Corten steel, the year-round, living green facades house flora and welcome fauna, creating a solution that is aesthetically appealing, promotes biodiversity, contributes to lower noise pollution and actively combats the heat island effect.
The Green Sponge Buildings in Scandinavia project is in partnership with VIA University College, Østfold University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, Swedish Environmental Research Institute and Ramboll; and funded by Interreg Öresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak.
