# Dutch Startup Turns Grey Concrete Walls Into Living Green Surfaces > Cities are packed with concrete—buildings, walls, pavements—leaving hardly any space for nature. But what if those drab grey walls could actually become home ![Dutch Startup Turns Grey Concrete Walls Into Living Green Surfaces](/media/2026/11/Positivity---2026-11-02T101210-673-af424187.webp) ## Cities are packed with concrete—buildings, walls, pavements—leaving hardly any space for nature. But what if those drab grey walls could actually become home to lush, living greenery? That’s exactly what a Dutch startup called Respyre is trying to make happen. They’ve come up with a special concrete coating that lets moss grow right on building surfaces, turning ordinary walls into vibrant, living facades. Respyre spun out of Delft University of Technology in 2021. Now, they’re on a mission to show how stubborn concrete can make room for nature—even in the tightest urban spaces. Their projects aren’t just ideas on paper anymore. You’ll find them across the Netherlands and Belgium, proving that buildings don’t need gardens or planters to go green. (Source: Respyre) Advertisement ## So… How Do You Get Moss to Grow on Concrete? Here’s the thing about moss: it doesn’t need deep roots or rich soil. Instead, it relies on tiny root-like threads called rhizoids to latch onto surfaces. Most of what it needs—water and nutrients—it simply soaks up from the air around it. Respyre’s approach uses this to its advantage. They’ve created what they call bioreceptive concrete, a surface that’s basically tailor-made for moss to settle in and thrive. The process is pretty simple. First, they apply their special layer to a concrete wall, then introduce moss to the treated area. To help the moss get started, they use a gel that keeps it moist until it takes hold. Unlike most green walls—those setups with planters, soil, and irrigation—moss-based facades don’t require much once the moss has rooted. They mostly draw water from rain or the humidity in the air. In tricky spots, a bit of extra irrigation can help, but that’s about it. That’s what makes this so useful. No need to overhaul old urban surfaces or squeeze in big planting systems. Just find an empty wall and let the moss do its thing. Advertisement ## Bringing an Old Concrete Wall Back to Life Take Respyre’s recent project in Daals Kwartier, Utrecht, finished in October 2026. With a boost from the Utrecht Entrepreneurs Fund, they coated an existing concrete wall with their bioreceptive layer and added several types of moss. An irrigation system helps the greenery settle in and start growing. What’s cool about this isn’t just the green wall itself. It’s that you don’t have to tear things down or build new structures to invite nature back. The same old wall just gets a new lease on life. Respyre has tackled bigger projects, too—a 300-square-meter sound barrier in Hoofddorp, and a 450-square-meter moss-clad industrial building in Kortrijk, Belgium. Each new installation helps Respyre learn how moss works in different urban settings. (Source: Change Inc.) ## Why Bother With Moss in the City? You might look at moss and think it’s just a soft green fuzz, but it actually does plenty of good. First, it creates new habitats for tiny creatures—another way to boost city biodiversity when regular plants can’t catch a break. Moss also locks in moisture and can cool its surroundings through evaporation, especially when it’s nice and wet. That means less heat baking city walls during hot spells. There’s more. Moss helps filter the air, trapping bits of pollution and playing a small part in keeping cities cleaner. It’s also great at absorbing rain, which can reduce runoff when storms hit. No, a moss wall isn’t going to replace actual parks or tree-lined avenues. But in places where space is tight, it’s a clever way to sneak bits of nature back into the concrete jungle. ## Greening What’s Already Built Maybe the best part of Respyre’s idea lies in bringing old buildings into the future—greener and more alive. Think about all those blank noise barriers, bare building facades, and stray walls in a busy city. Why not cover some of them in moss and claim that space for nature? Respyre’s also looking at other uses—roof tiles, building materials, you name it. Their work hints at a future where construction doesn’t just keep us sheltered, but actively helps nature get a foothold in the city. Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. How well moss does depends on the local climate, sunlight, moisture, and some basic care. Research from 2026 shows that wet moss cools its surroundings through evaporation, but when it dries out under the blazing sun, it behaves differently. So, you need thoughtful design and a bit of long-term planning. (Source: The Optimist Daily) ## A Fresh Look at Urban Green Respyre offers a new way to think about city life. Instead of writing off concrete as lifeless and ugly, they’re turning it into a foundation for living, breathing green spaces. It’s a simple idea: let nature find a home in places people used to overlook. If the technology keeps growing along with the moss, city planners and architects will have another creative tool for turning built-up spaces into greener, healthier places. A bit of moss won’t change everything overnight. But if enough blank, forgotten walls start to fill with green, bit by bit, cities will look— and feel—a whole lot more alive. > Sometimes, you don’t need to tear down and rebuild for a greener city. Sometimes, you just need to give nature a chance to grow where you least expect it. Explore Related Topics Take the Positivity Quiz More in Good News Share this article ### Stay Inspired Get a daily dose of positivity delivered to your inbox. ### Discover More on Positivity What Is Positivity? Affirmations Quotes Meditations Psychology 🛠️ Tools Today's Inspiration ## You Might Also Enjoy ![South Africa Opens Its 100th School Library, Reaching 125,000 Learners Every Day](/media/2026/11/Positivity---2026-11-02T103404-861-496f9429.webp) Good News ## South Africa Opens Its 100th School Library, Reaching 125,000 Learners Every Day ![17-Year-Old in Thailand Helps Hornbills Find New Homes](/media/2026/10/Positivity---2026-10-30T115345-262-f8683829.webp) Good News ## 17-Year-Old in Thailand Helps Hornbills Find New Homes ![Milwaukee Opens a Braille Trail So Blind Visitors Can Explore the Forest Through Touch and Sound](/media/2026/10/Positivity---2026-10-28T115824-697-56ee5e8b.webp) Good News ## Milwaukee Opens a Braille Trail So Blind Visitors Can Explore the Forest Through Touch and Sound ![Women in Nigeria Restore 190 Hectares of Mangrove Forest After Decades of Pollution](/media/2026/10/Positivity---2026-10-27T114927-691-3580cb95.webp) Good News ## Women in Nigeria Restore 190 Hectares of Mangrove Forest After Decades of Pollution ![Brandon University in Canada Makes Indigenous Language Courses Free for Students](/media/2026/10/Positivity---2026-10-26T115735-365-c120f46f.webp) Good News ## Brandon University in Canada Makes Indigenous Language Courses Free for Students ![Parks Across 12 Countries Are Being Recognized for Bringing Communities Closer to Nature](/media/2026/10/Positivity---2026-10-22T121550-792-dd532f86.webp) Good News ## Parks Across 12 Countries Are Being Recognized for Bringing Communities Closer to Nature ## Leave a comment