A hyperboloid pavilion made of Kebony wood: an innovative design for the “Grüne Arch”

Inaugurated in May 2024, the “Grüne Arche” is located at the heart of the 92 hectares of the Botanical Garden. This complex brings together 22 specialized greenhouses, dedicated to the cultivation of more than 10.000 endangered plant species. Each greenhouse benefits from personalized climatic and thermal settings, ensuring ideal growing conditions for the numerous plant collections.

A unique architecture

The new hyperboloid pavilion is a striking example of exceptional architecture. Simply spectacular. Its open and dynamic shape allows for a generous amount of natural light, optimizing plant growth. The use of Kebony Clear, a responsibly and environmentally friendly processed wood, blends harmoniously into the natural setting, affirming the Botanical Garden's desire to be sustainable.

The project also includes an advanced irrigation system, designed to collect and reuse rainwater, ensuring efficient management of water resources. Thanks to innovative technologies, the energy efficiency of the “Grüne Arche” has been doubled, reducing consumption by half compared to old installations.

A symbol of sustainability and innovation

The "Grüne Arche" is not only a showcase for endangered plant species, it is also a research and education centre. Every year, around 240.000 visitors are made aware of the increasing threats to biodiversity in the face of climate change and discover inspiring solutions for the future.

This project was made possible by the collaboration with renowned partners such as De Keyser Holzindustrie, NU Architektur Atelier, Archipel Architecten, Mouton and Van Poppel, supported by the Flemish government. This synergy between contemporary architecture and ecological awareness illustrates the importance of multidisciplinary cooperation.

A symbol of sustainability and innovation

For Lars Arndt, Sales Director Germany/Austria/Switzerland at Kebony: "The 'Grüne Arche' is an iconic example of how sustainability and aesthetics can be combined in the construction sector. With the choice of Kebony, this project is an exemplary illustration of the scope and effectiveness that innovative ecological solutions can offer."

Kebony is available in two versions: Clear, with almost no knots, offers a uniform appearance, while Character, with its visible knots and heartwood content, has a natural and rustic look. Both variants initially have an intense dark brown hue. Under the influence of climatic conditions, they naturally evolve into a grey patina. In the case of Kebony Character, this process also applies to the knots, thus preserving the aesthetic harmony over time.

Founded in 1997 in Oslo, Kebony AS was born from the desire to develop and commercialize the invention of Canadian professor Marc H. Schneider: Kebony technology. His idea – symbolised by the name of the company and its product – was to find the “key to ebony” (“THE KEY TO EBONY”).

Pilot production started in 2003. From 2004 to 2007, Kebony gained valuable expertise as a supplier for various construction projects in Norway, before commissioning an industrial-scale production unit in 2009 and starting global exports. Today, Kebony is a reliable alternative to endangered tropical timber and wood treated with harmful substances. This unique technology permanently changes the structure of softwood species, giving them characteristics comparable to those of the best hardwoods.