De bouwsector heeft een grote ecologische voetafdruk door het intensieve gebruik van schaarse grondstoffen en de productie van grote hoeveelheden afval. Hoewel houtbouw en duurzame isolatie steeds vaker worden toegepast, blijft de verduurzaming van gevels een hardnekkige uitdaging. De gevel is immers niet zomaar een schil, maar het bouwdeel waarin esthetiek, bescherming en duurzaamheid samenkomen. Maar wat als een biobased gevelpaneel niet alleen een bijdrage levert aan de reductie van CO2, maar ook de lokale biodiversiteit en natuur versterkt?
In het kader van het (duurzaamheidprogramma) ontwikkelden Studio Marco Vermeulen en NPSP een innovatief gevelsysteem dat volledig biobased én modulair is: Furanatura. Een gevel die eenvoudig kan worden uitgebreid met verschillende soorten nestgelegenheden voor vogels, insecten en vleermuizen, waardoor het actief bijdraagt aan de versterking van de lokale biodiversiteit.
In het kader van het (duurzaamheidprogramma) ontwikkelden Studio Marco Vermeulen en NPSP een innovatief gevelsysteem dat volledig biobased én modulair is: Furanatura. Een gevel die eenvoudig kan worden uitgebreid met verschillende soorten nestgelegenheden voor vogels, insecten en vleermuizen, waardoor het actief bijdraagt aan de versterking van de lokale biodiversiteit.
2025
Gemeente Amsterdam
in cooperation with
NPSP
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Nabasco 10010
The base material for both the panels and nesting boxes is Nabasco 10010, a composite that combines natural fibers with a resin made entirely from 100% natural raw materials. The result is a material that is strong, rigid, lightweight, and has a very long lifespan. In addition, it offers a property that few biobased materials possess but is crucial for façades: excellent fire safety. This makes it a safe choice for use as cladding material. The material is also easily reused in a circular manner, with old panels serving as raw material for new ones.
The 100% biobased resin gives the material a dark brown, almost black appearance, which takes on a rust-like tone as it weathers. The addition of natural fibers such as flax or hemp creates a striking contrast, with light grey fibers interwoven through the rust-brown Nabasco, forming an expressive linear texture.
The 100% biobased resin gives the material a dark brown, almost black appearance, which takes on a rust-like tone as it weathers. The addition of natural fibers such as flax or hemp creates a striking contrast, with light grey fibers interwoven through the rust-brown Nabasco, forming an expressive linear texture.
Pattern of circles
The design of the façade panel is based on a modular principle in which each panel can be rotated 90 degrees while the pattern always continues seamlessly. This allows for the creation of endlessly unique façade compositions using a single panel. Not only does this reduce costs—since only one mold is needed—but it also results in a new formal language or idiom that aligns with the aesthetic and logic of this innovative biobased material.
The pattern consists of circles that are partially contained within each panel but, when positioned correctly, form complete circles across adjacent panels. This creates a façade that appears continuous and dynamic, changing in appearance depending on the orientation and composition of the elements.
The pattern consists of circles that are partially contained within each panel but, when positioned correctly, form complete circles across adjacent panels. This creates a façade that appears continuous and dynamic, changing in appearance depending on the orientation and composition of the elements.
Nature-Inclusive
Furanatura is not only a biobased façade system but also a nature-inclusive solution. The circular cut-outs within and between the panels serve as a basis for attaching various types of nesting boxes—ranging from shelters for birds and bats to hideouts for insects such as bees and butterflies.
In collaboration with an ecologist or forest ranger, the most suitable nesting provisions can be determined for each building. Depending on the orientation and location, specific types of boxes can be selected to support native species in need of extra protection.
Every Furanatura façade is already unique thanks to its rotatable pattern, but the addition of nesting boxes creates a façade that is not only ecologically valuable, but also tailored to its specific environment.
In collaboration with an ecologist or forest ranger, the most suitable nesting provisions can be determined for each building. Depending on the orientation and location, specific types of boxes can be selected to support native species in need of extra protection.
Every Furanatura façade is already unique thanks to its rotatable pattern, but the addition of nesting boxes creates a façade that is not only ecologically valuable, but also tailored to its specific environment.
Nesting Boxes in Various Colors, Sizes, and Shapes
By combining the panels in different orientations, circular openings are created in four different sizes, ranging from 104 mm to 608 mm in diameter. The smaller circles are suitable for nesting provisions for small animals, such as butterflies or wild bees. Medium-sized circles can accommodate nesting boxes for birds like the blue tit, coal tit, robin, or wren. The largest circles are intended for larger nesting boxes, for example for bats or groups of animals.
The nesting boxes have a distinct design language that closely aligns with the geometry of the façade panel. They can be produced from Nabasco 10010 in the same color as the panel, creating a visually cohesive whole. Alternatively, it is possible to choose a different color or type of fiber, giving each façade a unique and characterful appearance.
The nesting boxes have a distinct design language that closely aligns with the geometry of the façade panel. They can be produced from Nabasco 10010 in the same color as the panel, creating a visually cohesive whole. Alternatively, it is possible to choose a different color or type of fiber, giving each façade a unique and characterful appearance.
