The latter goes first: ‘Our companies fit well together. We are both looking
for constructive solutions. Rolling up your sleeves is the norm.'
METHOD
'It looks relatively simple, such a facade with plants, but there is smart technology behind it,' says Kris Bouhuijzen. 'We managed to develop a basic system that can be fine-tuned for each unique project. This is partly due to the collaboration with Sempergreen. This collaboration has also given us a certain degree of standardisation. Our joint method ensures that we can fine-tune all elements in a process -the plan of action, all conceivable scenarios, the collaboration with architects, contractors and installers- and make them succeed. We apply the lessons learned within this method. This can be about water quality - different standards apply in Germany and Belgium than in the Netherlands - but also about laws and regulations and other elements. To safeguard this knowledge, Sempergreen and HB Watertechnologie also organise regular knowledge sessions. That way, we keep thinking in the same direction together.'
BASIC INSTALLATION
Michael Filmer explains that HB Watertechnologie's basic installation can be refined at various levels. ‘No two projects are the same. You have to deal with the height of the building, the sun, wind, structures in the area and so on. And when a project is finished, it really only begins. After all, greenery does not stay beautiful on its own. That is why we have chosen sensor data-based systems from day one. By segmenting facades, we are able to provide each panel of plants with the right amount of water and nutrition based on that sensor data. Obviously, some segments -think of those parts that get a lot of sunlight- need more water than others. Moreover, the system is suitable for both interior and exterior facades, so very versatile.'
ANTICIPATION
'I want to stress the importance of being in discussions with each other at an early stage,' adds Paul Hakkenberg. 'The earlier you know about the ingredients Kris mentioned, the better we can anticipate them. Take an ingredient like water pipes. In our case, these are reasonably well insulated. In Germany, however, it is common to use cold stainless steel water pipes. We need to anticipate this with our solutions. The panel with the beautiful plants only stays green if the technology behind it is set up perfectly. ''Smart automation makes a big contribution to the success of our projects; in fact, everything revolves around data. We are in constant conversation to increase the returns in insights from that data. The human factor is also important here. Interpreting trends requires more than a good control system. Our companies complement each other in that regard, too. We work day-in-day-out to improve our services,' Kris Bouhuijzen concludes.
