Using bioreceptive concrete to make moss walls.
As we move towards making construction more sustainable, we are turning to nature to help us achieve this goal. Bioreceptive concrete is a type of concrete specifically designed to support and promote the growth of biological organisms, such as mosses, algae, lichens, and small plants, on its surface.
This innovative material is engineered to create an environment conducive to establishing and developing living organisms, enhancing the ecological value of built structures.
The surface of bioreceptive concrete is often roughened or porous, providing niches and spaces where seeds, spores, and moisture can accumulate, making it easier for organisms to take root and grow.
The chemical makeup of bioreceptive concrete may be adjusted to be less alkaline and more neutral, which helps reduce the environment’s harshness for living organisms, making it more hospitable for growth.
This type of concrete is often designed to retain moisture, which is crucial for the survival of the organisms it supports. The material may include additives or structures that help trap water, providing a sustained source of moisture.
By encouraging vegetation growth, bioreceptive concrete can reduce urban heat island effects, improve air quality, and increase biodiversity in urban environments. It also has the potential to absorb carbon dioxide, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases.
Bioreceptive concrete can be used in various architectural and landscape applications, such as green facades, living walls, and eco-friendly infrastructure. It integrates nature into urban spaces, creating a more sustainable and aesthetically pleasing environment.
One company in Europe, Respyre, is using the concept of bioreceptive concrete to create moss walls that are available in the Netherlands and Belgium. The walls are made by applying the bioreceptive concrete to vertical surfaces, creating optimal growing conditions for mosses.
This can be implemented in both renovations and new constructions. Once the concrete layer is in place, a specially formulated moss coating is added, which includes the mosses and their nutrients. The moss coating allows the moss spores to attach to the surface while providing nutrients, water and shelter. Over approximately 12 weeks, the wall will develop into a lush, green wall requiring little maintenance.
The walls require limited light and water. Most moss prefers shady conditions, although some species have adapted to withstand direct sunlight. The moss walls also require water only when they are growing. Once grown, they can survive droughts by going dormant. Once water becomes available again, the moss will rehydrate and resume growth.
Moss can also survive in very cold temperatures, including snow-covered landscapes. What is interesting about using moss on walls is that it doesn’t have roots and will not dig into the concrete that it is growing on, meaning it will not destroy the concrete and, therefore, the structure it is being used on.
With Europe experiencing more heat waves, reducing temperatures in the city has become increasingly important. Introducing moss to the built environment can help. A green wall will retain less heat than a brick or concrete wall. Plants hold more water than concrete, which helps to cool the air in hot weather. A green wall will also improve air quality, which can become more harmful in hot weather.
Using bioreceptive concrete is a great way to help bring the environment into the city and help the environmental footprint of the construction industry. The innovation of moss walls that Respyre is implementing can significantly reduce our impact on climate change.
It will be interesting to see if this idea of moss walls and the use of bioreceptive concrete spread beyond the Netherlands and Belgium and becomes more mainstream on buildings in cities around the world.
