A healthy cladding: Strong, colorfast, maintenance-free and fire-retardant

The facades of Spinoza20first are clad with Cover 6, the terrace and stairs with Neolife Deck 30 decking elements by LJ Solutions. The biocomposite elements are made of the most durable type of wood, reinforced with wood fiber and strikingly beautiful. Slats six inches wide in the colors Ocean (silver gray) and Sand (beige) with deep seams in between give the impression that this is an open facade, when in fact it is simply closed.

The choice of the Neolife façade and decking system grew out of the long-standing collaboration between BDG Architects and LJ Solutions. Both organizations look at the environment, nature and health in the same way; a fertile breeding ground for an inspired collaboration and unanimity about the materials to be applied. "Virtually every organization nowadays mentions the term 'sustainable' somewhere in its profile," says Roel Tromp, director of LJ Solutions. "But 'sustainable' is about so much more than 'lifespan.' That's why at LJ Solutions we speak of 'healthy' products: products that are maintenance-free, free of toxic substances and suitable for a second life. In short, products that support healthy living."

Upcyclable

Neolife's facade panels have all these qualities in them. Whereas a traditional facade system consists on average of 45% plastic, 45% wood sawdust and 10% additives, the Neolife composite consists of 75% wood fiber, 11% virgin PVC and additives. This PVC can be upcycled three more times after 50 years. The material is then still colorfast, maintenance-free and fire retardant in fire class B. Tromp: "For this reason, this wood composite will soon be awarded the LCA NL and uploaded with a category 1 card in the NMD."