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EN
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Unitura worked from 2019 on the new construction of 62 apartments on the Grotestraat in Waalwijk. Housing corporation Casade realized the residential buildings De Zwikker and De Schoenhoorn here. This modern building replaces a former tax office and an outdated office building. Unitura drew up the complete facilities plan for this project. We also supplied all the fauna facilities needed to meet the ecological requirements.
The project was under a Species Management Plan (SMP) by Arcadis. This plan sets specific task requirements based on building size. Unitura translated these requirements into a concrete plan for the integration of bat and bird facilities. The most unique aspect of this project is the chosen cavity access for bats. Instead of standard enclosures, the animals here were given almost full access to the cavity wall.
For this we used special entrance stones in the facade. In addition, we applied high-quality grip mesh over the insulation layer. This mesh protects the insulation from damage. At the same time, it provides bats with sufficient grip to move within the cavity. In total, we provided 91 roosts for this project. This supply consisted of 24 house sparrow boxes, 24 swift boxes and 43 different bat devices, including four mass winter quarters.
Choosing cavity access for bats is an excellent option in modern new construction. It offers the animals a large, natural space with a stable climate. Because we integrate the entrance bricks directly into the masonry, the aesthetics of the buildings are preserved. Moreover, the combination with grip mesh guarantees a durable solution that will last for decades without maintenance.
This is why we often advise architects and contractors to consider this method. It does require careful coordination with the insulation specialist. At De Zwikker and De Schoenhoorn, this cooperation resulted in a perfect balance between energy-efficient living and nature protection. In short, nature-inclusive construction need never interfere with a property’s building performance.
The completion of De Zwikker and De Schoenhoorn marks a successful step in making Waalwijk more sustainable. Thanks to Unitura’s early involvement, all facilities are now seamlessly part of the building envelope. The large variety of cabinets also attracts different species of birds and bats.
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