Fergus Horticultural Society
FERGUS – In the pursuit of an escape from the oppressive summer heat, a visit to a new grocery store proved to be just the answer.
Once inside, I was delighted that the store planner decided to incorporate a living wall into the design of the produce department. What a spectacular decor choice.
Obviously, the installation improves the aesthetics and the physical environment for employees and shoppers alike.
Also known as living walls or vertical gardens, these green walls are attached to the interior or exterior of a building. They differ from traditional green facades of plant material similar to ivy that fastens itself to the exterior walls.
Green walls are vertical planting systems that incorporate engineering ingenuity with various plant designs. As with a grocery store, the results are a memorable oasis.
Patrick Blanc a French botanist and artist pioneered the first garden (mur végétal) over 30 years ago.
Plants used in living walls receive their water and nutrients from a biofilter system instead of from the ground.
Monique Lee an installation specialist with Nedlaw Living Walls, spoke to the Fergus Horticultural Society at a monthly meeting.
In her presentation, Lee informed the audience how various installations across North America proved to be very visually pleasing, while contributing to the health of the building, its inhabitants and plants.
From a horticultural aspect, the plants grow in a soil-free system similar to hydroponics. The result is a vertical surface of extremely lush gardens.
Structurally, plants are held in place by a light-weight porous plastic material (similar to a kitchen scrubber) which is made into an envelope-like form.
Chosen for its strength and durability, it also allows moisture and nutrients to flow freely to the roots.
The main advantage of the material is that it is a structural support for the roots and allows them to grow freely, resulting in an intertwined mass.
The main advantage is that it is very clean, low maintenance and eliminates soil-borne pathogens due its automatic irrigation system.
“Some plants do better than others,” Lee reported.
Stunning designs in hospitals, educational and commercial settings have recently been developed. Each installation is very unique due to the chosen plants or design combinations.
“Generally, they create living works of art that purify the air people breathe,” she said.
“The living wall concept has endless possibilities of improving the aesthetics and physical environment of buildings.”
Lee continued to explain, “The system improves the quality of air by eliminating indoor contaminants. Specifically, the air inside a building moves through the green wall of plants, which activates biological components to break down pollutants.”
These components are water and carbon dioxide.
“Clean air is then distributed by the existing mechanical ventilation system,” said Lee.
Management are always seeking ways to improve the overall livability.
Links have been made between circulating air and the general health of employees and visitors.
Obviously, improvement in the air quality decreases work related ailments such as absenteeism and poor productivity.
Indoor living walls use similar air cleaning processes as those found outdoors.
Plants effectively remove many common indoor air contaminants at a fraction of the cost required for traditional ventilation and air conditioning systems.
These plantscapes actively remove chemicals, dust and spores, returning fresh air.
Obviously, solar radiation heats the environment, especially during the summer. Because of this, there has been a tremendous demand for air conditioning.
Just like tall shady trees, living walls help reduce energy costs. Environmental studies show that the surface of an exterior green wall is up to 10°C cooler than an exposed wall.
Individual plants create a process called transpiration. The process creates a cooling effect to the surrounding environment.
A green wall with hundreds of plants would reduce temperatures substantially. Studies have shown that interior green walls cut electricity bills.
That all being said, a garden wall adds so much to the “wow factor” and positive tone of the environment of a building.
“Visitors greeted by a floor-to-ceiling exposé of growing plants soon develop a positive relationship with the surroundings. Many retail installations develop a inner feeling that this is a good place to be,” said Lee.
Using different types, colours, sizes and textures of plants will create unique patterns and designs. Foliage or flowering varieties can be used.
