Hacer Developments

14/05/2026

Some of the other faces behind the Biome! 🤩🤩

Beyond our small Hacer & Helix team, our residential partner have lots of people working extensively on the project, alongside the REPAIR research project, societal partners, and alllllll the trades!

It’s been a long journey with lots of learning, but we’re ever grateful for everyone who’s been a part of it, it will be amazing!

14/05/2026

30/04/2026

Site is sounding a little different these days 😌🌿

🔉🔉

23/04/2026

The Roof Gardens 🪴 - build up 👷

Before greening can be planted, there are many layers that need to be built up to ensure the plants will thrive, and structurally they will stay put!

Once the foundations had been built by Crest Carpentry, and the waterproofing installed by Vanguard, next to be laid was the protection and storage fleece. Made from 100% recycled fibres, the fleece protects the waterproofing, whilst also acting as an additional water reservoir. 💦

Next to go in was the steel structures, fabricated by our Helix21 team and designed by , inspired by the shapes of Swansea – more on this to come! 👩‍🎨

The roofs were then in the hands of Chris Bridgeman and his team of green roofing trainees, to lay the Meander Water Retention Board which will manage water levels on the roof to reduce water discharge.
The meander board sits under all the soiled areas on the roof (separated by a filter fleece) which consists of an intensive roof substrate and soil, supplied by Alfa Aggregates.

In the pathway areas, grids have been installed and filled with waste cockleshell from – utilising a by-product of the food industry whilst also maintaining a link with our coastal nature! They also make a very relaxing crunch as
you walk over them. 🧘‍♀️🐚

Theres a lot to a green roof, but it’s perfectly doable, especially with such a great team! 🏆

There was a lovely atmosphere on the roof during install, we’re very grateful to the hard work of everyone involved, now we get to watch it thrive! 🌿

Keep updated with us to find out more about the types of plants we’re using, the aims of the design, and the people involved!

📸Simon Beckett .film was on site capturing the install, bringing you some of the beautiful imagery you see here!

09/04/2026

We welcomed Swansea Scoop to site earlier this week, thankfully when the sun was shining!

Here you can see the view from our 3 bed duplex apartments on Level 11, which will be managed by social housing provider Codi Group

Affordable, sustainable living right in the city centre, with access to multiple roof top gardens and community led spaces. 🫶🌿

07/04/2026

Last week we had the pleasure of welcoming the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government - Jayne Bryant, and her team to site! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Alongside a walk around the apartments, we had a sit down in the Winter Garden to discuss the importance of community, and embarking on projects such as this to develop the learning of what works and what doesn’t, for both people and planet –noting on the work being done by the REPAIR project. 📝

Jayne was welcomed to the Biome by the Hacer and Codi team, alongside Rob Stewart of Swansea Council. 🦢

The Biophilic Living Biome received funding from as part of their in 2019, we note that without this funding, the project would not have been possible. 🏆🏡
The IHP was created to enable innovation in the field of affordable housing, to make the goals of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act realised. The IHP came to an end in 2020, however we can use the findings from this building, and others supported by the programme, to identify how we best innovate moving forward.

We’d like to thank Jayne and the team for taking the time to visit us at the Biome! Being the first of its kind, the Biophilic Living project is a story that needs telling to make these sorts of developments the norm, to regenerate our towns and cities. 👏🏻

24/03/2026

Green in the City: Adapting to Climate Change 🌱🦢

What an amazing event! 🎉

Last week at , Bridgeman & Bridgeman, Swansea Council, Swansea University, Natural Resources Wales, and the REPAIR project held Green in the City: Adapting to Climate Change.
The event gave attendees the opportunity to connect with industry experts via a series of talks, workshops, and tours about Sustainable Drainage Systems, Biosolar Roofs, and Community Engagement. ☀️🐛

The event also marked the signing of the Biophilic Cities Network agreement. Rob Stewart of Swansea Council, Siwan Rees of Swansea University, and Hywel Davies of Natural Resources Wales signed the agreement in the lovely march sun, recognising the extensive work being done across the city to make it better for people and planet! ✍️🍾

Alongside our landmark Biome development, extensive green infrastructure is being installed across the city, including rain gardens in Sandfields, a new green wall on the Dragon Hotel, and green roofs at multiple locations in the city centre!

A very uplifting and hopeful event, there are so many exciting improvements coming to the city, with a highly skilled team making it happen!



Check out the links in our bio to read coverage of the event! ♻️👥

17/03/2026

Last week we welcomed Jane Davidson to the Biophilic Living site. 🥳🌱🏆

Jane, a highly influential environmentalist, served as Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing in where she proposed the pioneering Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, a historic piece of legislation that puts regeneration at the centre of government action. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿♻️❤️‍🩹

The Biophilic Living Biome was designed in alliance with the 7 regeneration goals of the WFGA:

• A prosperous Wales
• A resilient Wales
• A healthier Wales
• A more equal Wales
• A Wales of cohesive communities
• A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language
• A globally responsible Wales

The problems we face in society today are multifaceted, with the act recognising this, requiring public bodies to outline their approach to each goal, and encouraging collaboration.

Jane visited alongside Luci Attala, , Becky Cole , and Chris Pak , co-leads of the AHRC Mission Award funded REPAIR project, using the Biome Building as a case study for urban regeneration, of which Jane sits on the advisory board!

It was a pleasure to welcome Jane to site, and we’re very thankful for her support!
Read more in latest press release 🔈📰

05/03/2026

We’ve made it to March! 🌼

Perfect timing for our gardens to be planted 🌿 The Helix 21 team are half way through the install of the rooftop garden infrastructure & setting out on levels 4,6&7, meaning planting can soon begin!

Watch this space, and please share!

Making Swansea Green Again 🪴♻️💚

24/02/2026

An exciting garden update! 👨🏻‍🌾

The garden designs have been signed off, so setting out has begun!

The gardens have been designed by alongside consultations from Garry Grant & 👏🏻

We’re aiming to provide spaces for our building users to immerse themselves in nature through winding pathways on level 4, and abundant growing spaces on level 6&7.

We hope the true benefits of Biophilia can be felt here, improving people’s health and wellbeing, alongside improving air quality and boosting biodiversity 🌿🐝

Once the Helix21 team finish the setting out and landscaping infrastructure, we can start planting, just in time for spring! 🌷

Spread the word, the biome is coming to life! 🌎