THE Meise Botanic Garden in Belgium, one of the world’s largest conservatories of endangered plant species, has celebrated the completion of the Green Ark project, featuring the successful renovation of 7,600m2 of greenhouse complex and the installation of spectacular hyperboloid pavilion made with sustainable Kebony Clear wood.
Opening to the public in May 2024, the Green Ark project lies at the heart of 92-hectre Meise Botanic Garden and houses more than 10,000 species of endangered plants across 22 different greenhouses, each independently regulated to ensure optimal temperature and climate conditions for the diverse collection of flora. Other pioneering new technologies installed at the Green Ark include an irrigation system that recycles rainwater that falls on the building, while energy consumption has been halved in comparison to the old greenhouse facilities.
Creating a place to conserve and research vulnerable species, the Green Ark will also act as learning hub, educating the Meise Botanic Garden’s 240,000 annual visitors of the ever-increasing threat that climate change poses to the planet’s biodiversity and the innovations in place to protect the environment for future generations.
The design and construction of the Green Ark is the result of a collaboration between various groups working in alliance with the Meise Botanic Garden and the Flemish Government, including De Keyser Wood Industry, NU Architectuur Atelier, Archipelago Architects, Mouton and Van Poppel. Dually modified™ Kebony wood shingles were sawn into the roof of the pavilion, providing a natural finish that places the Green Ark in harmony with its botanical surroundings and enriches the visitor experience. In addition to the aesthetic viability, the use of Kebony wood also supports the Green Ark project
While hardwoods can take 80-200 years to grow, the fast-growing FSC certified softwoods used by Kebony are specifically planted for this purpose and grow to the desired sizes in a mere 25-30 years. During the growth of these trees, carbon is captured from the atmosphere, contributing to CO2 sequestration. The dual modification™ process permanently transforms the wood cell walls by forming locked-in furan polymers; the dimensional stability, durability, and hardness of the wood are all increased, guaranteeing both a long life and a high level of safety.
Gert Van Beeck, Sales Manager at Kebony, comments: ‘’The Green Ark embodies an innovation in the world of construction, creating a place where sustainability and aesthetics intertwine harmoniously. With a focus on Kebony wood, a viable ecological alternative to tropical hardwoods, this project demonstrates the successful symbiosis between modern architecture and ecological commitment, setting a model for more inspiring sustainable projects in Belgium and beyond’’.
