'Facade gardens' offer soothing element in industrial Little C

In residential and working area Little C in Rotterdam, an optimal synergy is sought between the robust, industrial building facades and atmospheric, soothing green surroundings. For example, various collective roof gardens and green squares are being laid out.

Text | Lieke van Zuilekom    Image | Cable Design

There will also be more than 400 planters. Stainless steel 316 cables and cable mesh networks along and between the facades will allow various climbing plants to grow up tens of feet. The cables and cable mesh networks will be installed at the intercession of Van Helvoirt Green Projects and commissioned by Bouwcombinatie Little C V.O.F. (TBI companies ERA Contour and J.P. van Eesteren) supplied and assembled by Kabel Design, specialists in cable technology and other products.

Stainless steel 316 offers the best resistance to corrosion, ensuring the aesthetics of facades in all its facets.

"Green facades are an attractive eye-catcher. Moreover, planting contributes to a more sustainable and healthier climate," says Peter Huijbregts, director of Kabel Design. "This is because the plants filter particulates, provide an extra layer of insulation and promote the habitat of birds, butterflies and insects. In Little C, this task is fulfilled by Blue Rain and other climbing plants, which grow at different levels against the facade. Where the Blue Rain suffices with a few stainless steel 316 cables, other climbers need a more fine-grained support. For that, we supply and install diamond-shaped stainless steel 316 cable mesh networks."

To ensure solid attachment and sufficient distance (80 - 85 mm) between the plants and the building facades, stainless steel 316 spacers are mounted in and on the facade, Huijbregts says. "Then we pull the horizontal and vertical cables through these. The vertical cables are up to 18 meters long, allowing the climbing plants to grow luxuriantly. Stainless steel 316 offers the best resistance to corrosion, ensuring the aesthetics of the facades in all its facets."