- Pascal De Beck
Edenya at Pairi Daiza, the world's largest tropical greenhouse
With Edenya, the Pairi Daiza zoo and experience park has realised an exceptional technical and architectural project: a 10-acre (40,000 square metres) greenhouse where you can admire the wonders of the tropics in Belgium. The greenhouse hosts a closed ecosystem in which animals, plants and visitors come together in a tropical climate under a vast transparent structure.
Reynaers Aluminium supported Forzon, the department within Deforche Construction Group that specialises in glass roof constructions, as a technical partner throughout the entire process. From the design of the aluminium and glass roof - tailored to extreme requirements related to insulation, air and water tightness, and structural stability -, to the effective guidance and practical support on site.
Complex roof structure as technical backbone
A crucial design choice was to realize the roof first, and only then implement the facades around it. The impressive roof structure, designed and built by Forzon, required extremely precise coordination and installation.
The greenhouse consists of 16 modules, 50 metres long and 50 metres wide each. The modules were first assembled on the ground and then raised in one swift motion. The three-dimensional steel frame, sporting a golden lacquered finish, is supported by so-called "tree pillars", spread at fifty metres between them. The steel structure forms the backbone of the project and largely determined the technical preconditions for the glass roof and facades.
Custom-made aluminium for extreme spans
For the glass roof and the central atrium, a 70mm bespoke variant based on ConceptWall 50 was specially developed for this project. Reynaers Aluminium closely collaborated with Forzon to tailor the profiles and accessories to size, to optimise materials to answer the heavy load needs, and to guarantee smooth and safe assembly at the same time.
The roof structure is 50 metres wide and 22 metres high, with a ridge height of up to 25 metres. The aluminium roof profiles' 70mm visible sightlines offer additional structural stability for large spans. A continuous, bespoke gasket guarantees the water-tight sealing without additional seams, which is essential to prevent water from entering into this humid subtropical environment.
Optimisation was also necessary on material level. The profiles on the inside are extruded in an open C shape, instead of the standard hollow format. The result: lighter profiles, less aluminium volume and a cost-saving solution, while the new set-up still meets the structural performance needs.
Transparent facades with integrated ventilation and high performance
For the vertical facades, the existing ConceptWall 50 stick façade system was chosen. The curtain wall solution combines maximum transparency with high technical flexibility and allows to meet the strict thermal insulation requirements typical of a subtropical indoor climate. The curtain walls feature a CH3 golden anodised finish, matching the colour of the roof structure.
Ventilation plays a key role in this. Integrated opening window elements of ConceptSystem 77 were used over the entire surface of the greenhouse. These windows are fully motorized and seamlessly integrated into the glass facades. They were extensively tested in the Technology Centre at the Reynaers Campus in Duffel, Belgium, one of the most advanced test centres for windows, doors and facades in the world. That is how we guarantee the systems' reliability and performance levels, even in exceptional circumstances.
Design decisions in virtual reality with Avalon
During the design phase, the entire project was visualized in Avalon, our virtual reality space. In this three-dimensional environment, all stakeholders involved were able to virtually enter the building, analyse technical questions and substantiate design choices.
On-site support and collaboration
Throughout the entire process, there were regular site visits by the Reynaers Aluminium Project Cell, with direct coordination between all stakeholders involved. Thanks to a fixed point of contact, technical questions could be addressed quickly and adjusted on site where necessary. This close collaboration was essential to keep the level of complexity manageable and to ensure the project was executed according to plan.
Thermal studies and climate control
In order to keep the temperature and humidity in the various biotopes in Edenya stable, extensive thermal studies were carried out for both the aluminium profiles of the facades and of the roof. The greenhouse is equipped with bespoke glazing that insulates up to five times better than regular conservatories. Together with intelligent hybrid ventilation, industrial nebulizers and heat pumps, the ideal climate is created. Thanks to this integrated approach, indoor temperatures are kept at a pleasant 18 degrees Celsius, while ensuring optimal energy efficiency despite the expansive glazed surfaces.
A prime example of integrated partnership and technical expertise
Edenya shows how customization in aluminium, combined with technical expertise and close cooperation between all construction partners, makes the difference in complex projects. What started as an ambitious vision grew into the largest tropical greenhouse in the world, a sustainable and high-performance structure in which architecture, engineering and nature come together in harmony.
The Edenya project confirms Reynaers Aluminium's role as a reliable partner throughout the building process, from design to technical execution, from testing to on-site support and delivery.
Used systems
Involved stakeholders
Architect
- Pascal De Beck
