“Concrete jungle†is the term so regularly applied to many of the world’s metropolises. But this could be set to change with a trend that has been growing over the last few years. The uptake of developers installing living walls on new and existing buildings, as either an exterior cladding or an indoor feature, is rapidly gathering pace.
These revolutionary walls are a far more advanced concept than planting a few vines at the foot of a building and waiting for nature to kick in. Green wall systems must be carefully designed and considered in order for them to thrive, often requiring the collaboration of both specialist companies and architects.
Working on the principle that climbing plants do not need soil in order to thrive, green wall systems are more dependent on an appropriate choice of planting, as well as ensuring that plants have a sufficient and regular supply of water, with an irrigation system carefully integrated into the wall’s design. With these two elements taken care of, the walls and the plants that form them can be left to look after themselves, needing little by way of maintenance once established.
Their numerous environmental benefits, which include improved heat and sound insulation, natural air purification and improved biodiversity, have meant that many big companies are looking to them as a way of reducing the environmental impact of their new developments.
In the UK, Marks and Spencer is one such company eager to incorporate the concept to their newest stores, with examples where they have done so in Norwich, Ellesmere Port and Sheffield. Other examples of external living walls can be seen at the Westfield Shopping Centre and in Canary Wharf, London. Internal projects are more often found in homes and offices, but the Megaro Hotel in London had four walls installed ahead of their opening in 2012, creating a striking impression on guests and visitors.
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