Pairi Daiza – Edenya, Belgium

Cape Reed’s Biggest European Project to Date

Some projects are measured in square metres. Others are measured in what they mean.

Pairi Daiza’s Edenya — the world’s largest tropical greenhouse, located in Belgium — is both. When the doors officially opened in February 2025, Cape Reed International was proud to have played a defining role in bringing this extraordinary living ecosystem to life.

The Scale of the Project

This was commercial thatching at a level we had never delivered before in Europe.

• 2,300m² of precision-installed thatched roofing
• 150,000 bundles of sustainably sourced natural Cape Reed thatch
• Ten 40-foot shipping containers transported from South Africa to Belgium
• Installed within a climate-controlled 4-hectare glass canopy structure

Every bundle was selected, prepared, and shipped with the same care our team brings to every project — from a bespoke residential lapa in the Cape to a luxury lodge in the Middle East. At Edenya, that standard simply had to perform at an entirely different scale.

Where Nature Meets Engineering

Edenya isn’t a greenhouse in the conventional sense. It’s a living ecosystem designed to shelter tropical flora and fauna beneath a glass canopy built with custom glazing that insulates up to five times better than standard greenhouse systems. A smart hybrid ventilation system, misting infrastructure, and heat pumps maintain a stable minimum temperature of 18°C year-round — creating the conditions for a true tropical interior in the heart of Europe.

Our thatched roofing wasn’t decorative. It was functional. Natural Cape Reed thatch contributes meaningfully to insulation, acoustic comfort, and the authentic atmosphere that sets Edenya apart from any other structure on the continent. In an environment engineered to feel alive, natural materials weren’t a compromise — they were the point.

Craftsmanship Across Continents

Getting 150,000 bundles of thatch from Cape Town to Belgium on time, at quality, and ready for installation in a high-spec commercial environment required more than logistics. It required trust — in our sourcing partners, our production team, our shipping process, and the skilled hands that installed every bundle on site.

This is what Cape Reed has spent decades building the capability to do. We exist at the intersection of heritage craftsmanship and engineered project delivery. Edenya is the clearest demonstration yet of what that means in practice.

A Milestone for Cape Reed

Pairi Daiza – Edenya is Cape Reed International’s largest commercial project in Europe. It is a project we are immensely proud of — not only for the scale it represents, but for the standard it sets.

From South Africa to Belgium. From natural material to architectural statement. This is commercial thatching done the Cape Reed way.

Building with nature. Delivering at scale.

Project at a Glance

Location	Pairi Daiza, Belgium
Project Type	Commercial — Tropical Greenhouse
Scope	Supply & Installation
Roofing Area	2,300m²
Material	Natural Cape Reed Thatch
Volume	150,000 bundles / 10 × 40ft containers
Opened	February 2025

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