DC Ara turns tide of doom with impressive ecological wildlife display

Developer STELLAR DEVELOPMENT CV, architect Heembouw Architects and contractor Heembouw are highly committed to greening the built environment and increasing biodiversity. And Carl Stahl Green Walls also likes to make the world a little greener. For example, by equipping the facades of residential buildings, parking garages, business premises and distribution centers with climbing aid systems, against which green climbing plants can grow up in a targeted manner. The four companies recently found each other in Almelo, for the realization of the ecological nature screen of distribution center Ara.

"On behalf of STELLAR DEVELOPMENT CV and Heembouw, Carl Stahl Green Walls manufactured, delivered and assembled the climbing aid systems for the natural screen of dc Ara," says Jennifer Swagers, Marketing Manager at Carl Stahl. "Our range of climbing aid systems includes tension cables with spacers, tension cables without spacers as well as a cable net system. Around the 40,000-square-meter DC Ara, cable nets were chosen, which are fixed into the steel frame by Voortman Steel Construction." 

Exactly the right green seal 

The parametrically designed natural fence that extends around the distribution center also serves as fencing and is no less than 1 kilometer long and 15 meters high, says Swagers. "In total, we produced, delivered and assembled 10,000 m2 of stainless steel cable nets, in a mesh size of 200 mm and with a cable diameter of 2 mm, realizing exactly the right green seal. Because of the diversity of openings, the cable nets were completely custom produced by us."

Healthy living environment, natural sound barrier

Swagers sees the demand for green facades growing rapidly. Also in business parks, where more and more companies want to make their sustainability ambitions visible to the environment. "Our green facades are turning the tide of doom here," she says. "Industrial halls and distribution centers are often rather dull block boxes, which are given new life thanks to our climbing aid systems. The green facade is an attractive habitat for birds, butterflies, bees and other insects. In addition, the 'vertical gardens' contribute to clean air and a healthier living environment, provide natural cooling and act as an additional noise barrier."

Cable nets for a durable facade

Carl Stahl Green Walls cable nets are often used for large (façade) areas, when denser vegetation is desired or when large(er) spans must be made. "Our cable nets also offer a solution when it is not allowed or possible to drill into the facade," said Swagers. "The stainless steel cable net is a nice climbing aid for pendulous plants and can also serve as fencing. The dc Ara nature fence will be a beautiful calling card for this and is the largest ecological nature fence realized to date in Europe."

Carl Stahl Green Walls is part of Carl Stahl, a specialty wholesaler of stainless steel cable, plastic lines, cable nets
and accessories.