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The CLIMATE STONE by GODELMANN
Paving that actively cools cities.
Cities around the world are under increasing climate stress. Prolonged heatwaves, intense rainfall events and long dry periods are no longer exceptions – they are becoming the new normal. The consequences are tangible: overheated public spaces, overloaded drainage systems and declining urban quality of life.
The Climate Stone transforms paved areas into active climate surfaces. Instead of sealing the ground, it enables rainwater to infiltrate on site, stores water within the system and releases it back into the urban environment through evaporation. The result: cooler cities, reduced flood risk and sustainable protection of groundwater resources.
In dense urban environments, multiple challenges converge: Sealed surfaces prevent rainwater from infiltrating the ground. Heavy rainfall overloads sewer systems and increases the risk of flooding. At the same time, conventional paved areas heat up significantly and intensify the formation of urban heat islands.
What cities increasingly lack are surfaces that do more than just provide stability and accessibility. What is needed are systems that manage water intelligently, reduce heat and actively contribute to climate adaptation.
The Climate Stone is a climate‑adaptive paving system that secures surfaces without sealing them. As the world’s first paving stone with a functional three‑layer structure, it combines decades of experience in ecological paving with a clear goal: to measurably and sustainably improve the urban climate.
Rainwater is absorbed through the joints and guided directly into the subsoil in a controlled manner. Precipitation remains where it falls – relieving drainage systems and reducing flood risks.
Inside the system, large volumes of water are temporarily stored and retained within the urban space, even during dry periods. Soil, trees and surrounding vegetation benefit from the stored moisture.
Stored water is gradually transported back to the surface and evaporates continuously. This natural evaporation creates a noticeable cooling effect – comparable to that of a green space. These three functions are not based on a single material, but on the precise interaction of multiple functional layers within the stone.
Future‑ready cities connect green, blue and grey infrastructure into one integrated system. The sponge city principle follows a simple idea: rainwater remains in the urban space. It is absorbed, stored, filtered and used for cooling – instead of being discharged as quickly as possible. Rain is not a burden. It is a resource.
The visible surface reflects solar radiation and reduces the heat‑up of paved areas. It also helps to reduce noise emissions and contributes to the neutralisation of air pollutants. Rainwater enters the system purposefully through the joints and surface structure.
The open‑pored core layer absorbs large amounts of rainwater and stores it within the stone. The stored moisture is released over time, delivering a high evaporation performance that is comparable to that of a meadow.
The bottom layer is finer in structure and less permeable. It stores additional water and draws moisture from the subsoil. Through capillary action, water is continuously transported upwards – ensuring sustained evaporation and long‑term cooling performance.
Water management
Decentralised infiltration, storage and purification of rainwater, protection of groundwater resources
Urban ecology
Improved growing conditions for urban trees and vegetation, support for green infrastructure
Infrastructure
Relief for sewer systems, reduced flood risk and a durable, load‑bearing surface solution
Climate impact
Evaporative cooling, increased air humidity and a measurable reduction of urban heat islands
The Climate Stone by GODELMANN enables climate‑resilient urban spaces and represents a future‑proof investment in safety, sustainability and quality of life.
A systemically designed, fifth‑generation paving system with verified performance and seamless integration into water‑sensitive urban design strategies.
Cooler public spaces, drier walkways, better air quality and a noticeably higher quality of stay in everyday urban life.
Aalen has transformed the previously sealed town hall square into a natural, climate-friendly area with green spaces and an open city stream. The GDM.KLIMASTEIN on the paths supports the natural infiltration and evaporation of rainwater and thus improves the urban climate.
The forecourt of the sports hall in Ostfildern was given a modern and natural design. The water-permeable GDM.KLIMASTEIN supports the infiltration and evaporation of rainwater and contributes to urban unsealing, while GDM.SCADA liner, GDM.SCADA stone and the GDM.TIEFBORD clearly structure the parking areas and separate them from the rest of the forecourt.
In the Lower Franconian municipality of Niederwerrn, a new town centre has been created at the transition from the old town to the established residential area. The innovative GDM.KLIMASTEIN from GODELMANN proved to be the perfect paving stone for this pioneering project.
Following extensive renovation, the southern schoolyard of the Fritz Ulrich School in Heilbronn is now a modern, open and climate-resilient town center with seating and green areas. The particularly urban climate-friendly GDM.KLIMASTEIN was used here.
In front of the Jettingen town hall, a barrier-free, modern, open town center with seating and water elements has been created. The particularly urban climate-friendly GDM.KLIMASTEIN was used here.
1st generation: geoSTON | single-layer paving block with porous structure. Rainwater can seep away completely.
2nd generation: drainSTON | impermeable paving block with two-layer filter joint and lateral channel system.
3rd generation: geoSTON with first abZ | construction type receives a building authority approval (abZ) from the DIBt. Proof of suitability for paving consisting of paving stone, bedding and jointing material.
4th generation: gd- and hp-protect with abZ | water is stored in the porous core and then evaporates via the joints. Structure-tight attachment allows free colour and surface design.
· The world’s first three-layer paving stone
· Up to 70 % evaporation during the summer months
· Surface up to 12°C cooler than other surfaces
· Additional proactive properties to address current environmental issues
