Green crown instead of grey cap

Linking architecture even more closely with nature in the future is a task that many architects would like to consider intensively in their plans. In order to come a big step closer to this goal, unused, flat surfaces are increasingly being greened. On the façade, for example, but also on the roof.

The Austrian company Domico has been producing customised complete solutions for metal building envelopes and hall systems for many years. Here, lightweight construction is combined with maximum prefabrication and penetration-free fastening for durability and reliability. But here, too, the demand to make a contribution to combating climate change has grown. It was therefore logical to develop a modular façade greening system to complement the Planum ventilated metal curtain wall façade, a penetration-free and virtually maintenance-free façade system that allows architectural projects to be individually planned and implemented in terms of structure, form, colour and material. With Planum LivingGreen, Domico is not only expanding its product portfolio, but also providing architects with more extensive design options through the integration of greening elements. The system-compliant LivingGreen modules can also be added to at any time. At the same time, the surroundings benefit from an improved microclimate that cools, increases humidity and purifies the air through the plants like a natural fine dust filter.

The system-compliant substructure of Planum LivingGreen is particularly noteworthy: it guarantees structurally secure fastening and load transfer and forms a self-contained, weatherproof façade even without greenery. This results in a decisive advantage in practice, as the vertical planting can be replaced at any time. The LivingGreen elements are supplied with water and fertiliser via an individually plannable supply network. Horizontal greening on the roof, on the other hand, can be realised in the traditional way with root-resistant sealing foil. The Domico Element roof was developed for this application and can be used to green roofs over large areas economically. A particular advantage is the temporary rainwater storage on the roof of up to 95 litres per square metre and the insensitivity of metal to moisture. The metal supporting structure has significant advantages over moisture-sensitive wooden structures. This is because green roofs intentionally dry slowly and have additional load-bearing capacities of around 225 to 260 kilograms per square metre when saturated with water.

‘With our Domitec LivingGreen innovation, the film can be dispensed with, as this greening solution involves planting the vegetation on a separate aluminium vegetation layer. Clamps are used to attach an aluminium vegetation layer to the Domitec metal cover shell without penetrating it,’ explains Managing Director Doris Hummer. ‘This means that the tight metal roof covering underneath always remains intact and the drainage of any water overflow takes place between the vegetation layer and the Domitec cover shell. It can also be combined with PV systems at any time without penetration.’ And she is already looking forward to the next innovation that will be launched on the market in the near future. ‘With Domico Planum-Solar, we are offering a fully integrated photovoltaic façade system made in Europe. It is exceptionally light, impervious to driving rain, glare-free, customised, can be maintained at any time and is highly efficient.’

All images: © DOMICO and Wenzel Architekten + Ingenieure. http://www.architekt-wenzel.de