©Belke GmbH
Natural cooling
Green facades stabilise indoor temperatures and reduce energy use.
In Neuenrade, Germany, metal company Julius Klinke shows how industry and sustainability can go hand in hand. Their high-rise warehouse now features 500 m² of SemperGreenwalls, combined with solar energy, geothermal heating and green roofs, transforming the site into a climate-adaptive and biodiverse workplace.
Green facades stabilise indoor temperatures and reduce energy use.
Flowers and grasses create a habitat for bees, butterflies and other insects.
Sustainable solutions contribute to BREEAM and LEED certification.
Julius Klinke’s main warehouse is a perfect example of how industrial sites can embrace green innovation. By wrapping the building in 500 m² of SemperGreenwalls Outdoor, the company has created an additional insulation layer that keeps the indoor climate stable. Even in summer, the warehouse stays below 18°C without the need for energy-intensive air conditioning. This natural cooling saves energy, avoids hot air exhaust, and creates a healthier work environment.
The SemperGreenwall at Julius Klinke does more than regulate temperature. With its lush mix of flowering plants, grasses and ferns, the vertical garden turns an otherwise grey warehouse into a vibrant façade that signals sustainability to employees, partners and visitors alike. It shows that climate-adaptive industry can be beautiful, functional and future-ready.
One of the biggest advantages of the SemperGreenwall is that it arrives at the project site already fully grown. In Sempergreen’s own nurseries, the living wall system is pre-planted with a carefully selected mix of perennials. By the time they are installed, the panels are at least 90% covered in healthy vegetation. This means that buildings like Julius Klinke’s warehouse are immediately transformed; no waiting years for the greenery to mature, but a direct impact on cooling, aesthetics and biodiversity from day one. It also reassures clients and architects that the result will be lush, green and visually appealing from the moment the scaffolding is taken down.
The visual strength of the façade lies not just in its greenery, but in its composition. The planting plan for Julius Klinke’s warehouse makes clever use of contrasts: larger-leaved species alternate with finer grasses and ferns, creating a layered, almost three-dimensional look. Subtle variations in leaf colour, from deep greens to lighter shades with silvery accents, enhance this dynamic effect. The result is a living façade that never looks flat or monotonous, but changes character with the seasons. This design principle makes the wall not only a functional climate solution, but also a striking architectural feature that enriches the entire site.
Since its installation, the 500 m² SemperGreenwall has become home to countless bees, butterflies and other pollinators. The rich planting mix supports local ecosystems and strengthens the company’s commitment to protecting biodiversity. Combined with the existing green roofs, the warehouse has evolved into a genuine refuge for urban wildlife.
Sustainability is not new at Julius Klinke. Since 2010, the company has been running on geothermal heating and cooling, and it now produces its own solar power. The integration of SemperGreenwalls and roofs is the next step in this vision: a proof point that even heavy industry can move towards a future where economic strength and ecological responsibility go hand in hand.
Industrial sites often suffer from the heat island effect, waterlogging and poor biodiversity. By adding green roofs and facades, Julius Klinke demonstrates how easy it is to counter these challenges. Green infrastructure lowers ambient temperature, cleans the air, buffers rainwater and creates a healthier environment for people and nature.
©Belke GmbH
©Belke GmbH
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