In 2026, Pairi Daiza unveiled Edenya, the world’s largest tropical greenhouse. Spanning 40,000 m² (10 acres), the project, designed by Pascal De Beck, integrates a fully controlled tropical ecosystem where plants, animals, and visitors coexist in a subtropical environment.

The greenhouse is structured into 16 modules, each 50 x 50 metres, assembled on the ground and lifted in a single synchronized motion. Its three-dimensional steel framework, finished in gold lacquer, is supported by “tree pillars” spaced 50 metres apart, enabling an unobstructed interior and carrying the weight of both the roof and the façades. The roof itself spans 50 metres in width, 22 metres in height, with a ridge up to 25 metres, forming the backbone of the structure.

Reynaers Aluminium, in close collaboration with Forzon, developed custom 70mm ConceptWall 50 aluminium roof profiles. These profiles feature open C-shaped internal sections to reduce weight and material costs while maintaining structural integrity. A continuous, bespoke gasket system provides watertight sealing across the roof, crucial in the greenhouse’s humid subtropical climate, eliminating leaks and condensation risks.

The vertical façades combine ConceptWall 50 and CW 50-HI curtain walls with ConceptSystem 77 and CS 77 HI windows. The façades achieve maximum transparency while meeting strict thermal insulation requirements. Integrated fully motorized windows cover the entire surface, providing precise ventilation control. The façade and window systems were tested at Reynaers’ Technology Centre in Duffel, confirming performance under air pressure, water penetration, and wind load up to 160 km/h.

Thermal and climate control were optimized through extensive studies. Edenya’s glazing insulates up to 5x better than conventional conservatory glass, while hybrid ventilation, industrial nebulizers, and heat pumps maintain internal temperatures at 18°C year-round. Humidity, crucial for tropical flora and fauna, is precisely regulated via automated ventilation cycles and misting systems.

All design choices were simulated in Avalon, Reynaers’ virtual reality environment, allowing stakeholders to visualize the 3D structure, coordinate complex assemblies, and preempt technical challenges. Continuous on-site support by Reynaers’ Project Cell ensured rapid response to technical questions and precise adjustments during construction.

Edenya is a benchmark in high-performance greenhouse design: 16 massive modules, 50m spans, 22m roof height, bespoke aluminium profiles, full motorized ventilation, VR-driven design decisions, and advanced climate control. It exemplifies how technical expertise, collaboration, and custom engineering enable one of the most ambitious tropical ecosystems ever built.

All image courtesy of Reynaers Aluminium