Respyre
Author: Nick Owens
The Problem:
According to World Bank figures, over half (55%) of the world’s population now resides in urban areas. The challenges associated with this mass cohabitation have become increasingly prominent in recent years.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) points to air pollution as the “greatest environmental threat to public health globally”, with residential pollution playing a large role in exacerbating the problem through transport and household use of fossil fuels. City living comes with certain trade-offs, and air pollution is just one of them.
The high density of buildings and relative lack of greenery contribute to problems with noise pollution, flooding and heat control, all of which add to the stress of urban living. Furthermore, the poor biodiversity which exists in many cities can hamper both the mental health of residents and the ecological outcomes for flora and fauna which exist in the concrete jungle.
The Solution:
Dutch startup Respyre aims to tackle these urban issues by harnessing one of nature’s most adaptive and efficacious plants – moss.
Developed by a team of young change makers gathered from the top universities in the Netherlands, the company is leveraging the highly refined biological technology present in nature to address some of the most pressing challenges of urban living.
By combining bio-receptive concrete cladding with specialised bio-enhancing moss gel, the company has created a technology which transforms any façade into an environment ripe for moss growth. The process allows for quick growth and minimal upkeep, providing flexibility and freedom to builders and urban planners alike.
Moss is an excellent air quality regulator, with an impressive capacity for both drawing CO₂ out of the atmosphere and absorbing of various harmful airborne pollutants and particulate matter.
Moreover, moss provides a safe haven for the tiny plants and insects, supporting local ecosystems by contributing to natural urban cleaning processes and providing a food source for larger animals.
Moss has a potent aesthetic effect in what can often be a stressful and overwhelming urban environment, by providing some connection to nature amongst the clamour of buildings and cars. Additionally, it provides sensory benefits by absorbing sound, limiting the harsh noise levels which are part and parcel of city life.
Moss can also mitigate the “Urban Heat Island” effect, which causes urbanized areas to experience higher temperatures due to the heat absorption properties of the built environment. Beyond its aesthetic and thermal attributes, moss can absorb significant amounts of water, making it a useful material when dealing with heavy rainfall and preventing flooding.
Impact & Lessons:
Respyre has already embarked on ten exciting projects across the Netherlands. With an ongoing investment round, the company is poised to continue refining and developing its innovative natural design products.
These projects include assessing the resilience of moss at varying heights, constructing cutting-edge green office buildings, investigating the impact of moss-covered panels on urban heat and their insulation potential, and studying the effects of moss-covered sound barriers along highways, specifically in relation to noise pollution.
Respyre demonstrates how companies can draw on nature for innovative, sustainable solutions. By integrating natural elements like moss into the built environment, Respyre is showing how sustainable, eco-friendly solutions can address persistent challenges in the industry. Companies in the construction and design sectors can look to Respyre as an example of how nature-inspired innovation can create smarter, more sustainable cities.