IIlustrated report of Living walls and Green Roofs

TIA 1240 – CW An illustrated Report of Living Walls and Green Ro ofs

ID# U 1366058

By Alexander Dixon

Table of contents

Contents

Page #

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Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 5 Visual, aesthetic, and physical qualities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 - 7 Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 - 9 System types breakdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 - 11 Processes and manufacture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 - 13 Maintenance and aftercare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 - 15 Health, safety, sustainability issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 - 17 Precedence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 - 19 Cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 - 21 Pros and Cons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 - 23

Introduction The aim of this research study is purely based upon personal development as a designer to gain a broader range of knowledge on a specific area of technology proposed to us. The idea of which leads us to take in more of what methods are currently being used in industry and also to question if there is something more we can do as a designer.

Most of the research will be based on technical detail found behind many different methods within the architectural design industry and different construction types of green ro ofs and living walls and at most to use the most recent precedence and recent works in the field of living walls to show the technology being used today.

Introduction

The following research is to outline details facts and figures about Green ro ofs and Living walls showing there development over time and variations to date lo oking at Form, materials, existing approaches and application.

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Green walls and greenery in cityscapes centres and close to dwellings is not a modern development, it dates far back most famously to ancient times to the rain of the Babylonians. Which no less lead to forming one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World the hanging hardens of Babylon.

They were claimed to have been built over arched stone beams and water profed with layers of reeds and thick tar to retail soil and vegitation.

History

Throughout history other civilisations have adopted variations on the theme for instance the romans used grapevines on walls and trellises to create green features in their villas and dwellings.

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More modern events like the work carried out in 1937 by a professor of landscape architecture at the University of Illinois, Stanley Heart white which lead to the creation of what he named as the “botanical brick”. The structure consisted of simple plant units that could be stacked to any height for landscape effects that were intended for “world fairs, city yards, indo or gardens” in his origi-

: Above being copys of the paitent for whites system using structure vegitation

History

Living walls or green walls became more popular around the 1980s due to the exploits of Patrick Blanc a French botanist that to ok on the work of Stanley H White who patented the “Botanic Brick� system of structure and vegetation in 1938.

5 Patrick Blanc refined whites work and created many experimental green walls which many of which failed they lead on to pioneer the design of the more modern systems used today.

Visual, aesthetic, and physical qualities

The visual ascetics when it comes to ether a Living wall or a Green ro of is that the colour shape and texture of its covering isnt uniform and is subjected to change with the seasons in a very natural response.

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The scope of the visual appeal of green walls outside their vast amount of vegetation that could create countless arrangements are a controlled slice of nature that in most that is a scares commodity in cityscapes and densely populated areas. This makes a green facade or internal living wall feature all the more celebrated just due to the lack of greenery day to day.

Plant diversity is the main key for long-term sustainability this reduced maintenance and enhanced green ro of benefits.

Creating plant diversity requires an advanced level of horticultural knowledge and sufficient experience of practical/ hands on green ro of maintenance.

Visual, aesthetic, and physical qualities

The integration of nature into a lifestyle that has done its best to separate us form the outdo ors in most cases for the built spaces we create for ourselves but using a simple system to add a living element to a space is something that people feel than just see creating an different environment altogether.

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Ro oftop gardens and green ro ofs ascetics can be seen whether they are an architectural flare to a design, a well-developed choice of cottage ro of or a ro oftop cafĂŠ or bar in the middle of a city.

Proformace

Green ro ofs can lo ok like anything from a lawn to a forest. Extensive green ro ofs that use a thin layer of growing medium to support groundcover plants with short ro ots are generally designed with building performance in mind rather than aesthetic concerns. Sloping and curved extensive green ro ofs may be seen from ground level for more of a design flare.

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On the exterior they can be used to regulate the temperature on the interior of which will benefit cost on co oling systems for the life of the building.

They are also great at regulating the humidity level which can also save resources by not powering humidifiers or dehumidifiers.

- Foliage also actively attract dust reducing particle levels by up to 20%.

Recirculating irrigation systems control the flow of water from an ir-rigation tank which is filled manually on a regular basis. Water is pumped from the tank to the green wall. Water is then distributed to the plants. Gravity pulls excess water downward. Excess drainage water collects at the bottom of the wall an d is fed back to the tank this water A indirect irrigation system does not have a water tank or pump. Instead, irrigation water comes directly from an external water source (i.e. city water). This water is sometimes injected with fertilizer through an injector. A pump is not needed for direct irrigation because of the existing water pressure of the water lines. Water is channelled to the green wall and distributed to the plants of the wall. As water is pulled downward by gravity, any excess irrigation water is collected and sent to a sewer drain.

Proformace

Green wall systems range from arrangements of planting pots on layers of custom shelving to sophisticated vertical layers of growing medium, geotextiles and purpose-made containers. Depending on the size of the wall, large or small plants can be used and the result can be manicured and elegant (think of a carefully clipped hedge) or wild and funky.

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System types Walls To outline the process of manufacture the different systems that are used in industry which are diffrent applications that require different materials and processes.

Climbing systems As this system is concerned there are many different methods that exist for holding the vegetation and leading it to grow. Some of the examples would be wo oden trellises to wire systems, quality and durability can be calculated mainly from the foliage that is being used, weather it grows lots of foliage or not.

System types breakdown

Hung systems

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Predominantly using large volume planters at varying heights horizontally across the wall. The main technical aspect is the choice of structural components due to the large volume it needs to support of which would be the planter itself as well as the framework and taking into consideration the water and nutrient supply.

Pocket systems As the name suggests the planting of the vegetation is put into pockets cut into felt that is attached to a watertight board which makes sure the plants do not ro ot themselves. For this system the main technical question to address is how to manage the irrigation and waste drainage as this system is rather wasteful with an uncontrolled area for rainfall.

Modular systems This is a system that is mostly comprised of smaller elements fixed and repeated across a framework that leaves the plants free to grow through pre-established openings in the system. If the system is suitable it is guaranteed to create the most varied and unique green facade.

Structural materials used for most systems - Wo od is reletevly inexpensive and easy to work with, although in a wet environment even with the best wo od preservative, it will so oner or later decay and need to be replaces.

- Mass plastics are inexpensive and durable, but are sensitive to UV light and in cold weather they become rigid, and are very flammable.

- Technical plastics and composite materials provide varied opportunities in terms of composition, the disadvantage is that most are flammable and the price often exceeds that of stainless steel or aluminium.

- Aluminium is a durable material, however it is expensive and not firepro of.

- Stainless steel has technically perfect qualities, but the price is relatively high.

System types breakdown

Materiality

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System types Ro ofs

System types breakdown

Though there are a range of different systems that are applied to make a green ro of just like a living wall it is much more simple and regulated that there is more than one classification which mainly concentrate on the depth and the maintenance that comes with that.

These names have been adopted by the construction industry due to a more relatable manor of explaining an otherwise what could be a complex variation instead of a standard now widely used.

12 - Basic Green Ro of Detail Most green ro ofs, are supplied as complete systems, which include all components for green ro of construction from the insulation and waterpro ofing membrane to specialist soil mixes and vegetation.

Extensive Under 100mm in depth with usually limited biodiversity and rarely irrigated, this type is very low maintenance. It has a limited water holding potential but includes pre grown vegetation mats or substrate (underlying layer e.g soil or pre seeded growth agent)

Semi-intensive

Intensive Over 200mm substrate depth, intensive maintenance requirement is sometimes irrigated usually a lawn or ro of garden or amenity space.

Water attenuation and some biodiversity can be achieved.

Other classifications that are also based upon their depth and maintenance requirement would be 2 below extensive being Lightweight extensive and super lightweight that consist of more minimal loading and irrigation which have tendency’s to dry out. The other being one above intensive that would be biodiverse/wildlife which have very little irrigation with human’s maintenance wise due to focus on natural colonisation.

System types breakdown

from 100mm to 200 mm substrate depth with wider range of plants source able, is sometimes irrigated, Rainwater attenuation Supports vegetation slightly higher maintenance.

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The maintenance of a green wall is key to its survival and needs to be seriously considered at the start of any major project. Often a controversial subject the long term maintenance of a wall can become the most expensive and labour intensive element.

Maintenance and aftercare

Some of the maintenance will include need for pruning, feeding and replacement. Some systems will also need monitoring to ensure structural elements remain secure and do not deteriorate, e.g. correct tension in wire-rope systems. Some systems do have self-monitoring systems for irrigation which can be seen from a local monitor display.

14 Green walls are living organisms and as such require adequate support and nurturing to survive. With many solutions this can be minimal but must suit the application, the technique used and the plants chosen. to maximise the longevity of a green wall it is important to highlight costs and requirements early. Clients must be made aware of their responsibility to ensure long term project success.

Maintenance and aftercare

In addition to the obvious height challenges, there can often be a number of access issues when installing and subsequently maintaining green walls. Ease of access to the structure may even dictate the type of system chosen. In general it is far better to plan green wall installations during the original design of buildings, rather than rely on retrofitting afterwards. ​ Green façades generally only require access to the base of the wall, especially once growth has been established and initial coverage achieved, though it is likely some periodic pruning will still be required. Other systems require regular access to the complete structure for maintenance and monitoring. Often staging, platforms or even abseiling experts are required to provide safe and effective access for maintenance tasks.

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Health, safety, sustainability issues

Plants take in carbon dioxide and exchange it for oxygen as many children are taught today but what they are not taught and is something very useful to us and the environment today is that they also clean the air around us by taking in and absorbing pollutants making a more habitable environment for us. The high density of plants increase their useful properties several fold.

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Plants have long been used to reduce noise levels on freeways and other noisy roadways across North America and Europe. Living green walls expanded on this idea cho osing vegetation that naturally blocks high frequency sou nds while the supporting structure can help to diminish low-frequency noise.

As the use of green walls increase, this could significantly change in urban environments.

Eradicating the din of the hustle and bustle we’ve had to adapt to.

Toxin fumes are realised from every part of the office from paint fumes, plastics and cleaning products to furniture this may be a scary thought but these can be changed with the application of a green wall or vertical garden in your working space or habiting environment.

outline planing of important factors • maintenance objectives – created based on the design intent, or the landscaping or environmental objectives that were the basis for the ro of, wall or facade development • performance targets, such as the time frame for complete coverage of an area by plants and foliage • responsibilities of various personnel involved in operating the building, outlining the type, scope, duration of task and occurrence • training requirements (such as Working at Heights certification) and safety equipment • resources available.

Maintenance planning should also incorporate risk management, with the aim of reducing or eliminating the likeliho od of failure that could result in property damage or personal injury

Health, safety, sustainability issues

On the exterior they can be used to regulate the temperature on the interior of which will benefit cost on co oling systems for the life of the building.

They are also great at regulating the humidity level which can also save resources by not powering humidifiers or dehumidifiers.

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One Central Park, Sydney Architects: Ateliers Jean Nouvel Location: LOT 1 Broadway, Central Park, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia Design Architect: Ateliers Jean Nouvel.

Architect Of Record: PTW Architects The Gardens

Precedence

Just like Central Park New York, the 64,000 sqm park is a lush tranquil meeting place where you can unwind and relax with friends and family. Wander or cycle through its tranquil groves or simply sit on the lawns for informal al fresco dining. There are also chessboards and an open-air cinema, as well as occasional markets and music festivals.

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The western tower is 84 metres high and accommodates 240 homes, while the 117-metre-high eastern tower contains 383 apartments, including 38 penthouse flats with exclusive access to a 100-metre-high sky garden.

The building’s facade features one of the tallest green walls in the world designed

by Patrick Blanc, the self-proclaimed “inventor of the vertical garden”. Spanning over 1 , 000 square-metres, the 21 plant-covered panels are made up of 35 different species.

“Hydroponic irrigation systems, for one, make it possible to grow a soilless vertical veil of vegetation in planters and on walls all the way up to the tower tops. The resulting green facades trap carbon dioxide, emit oxygen and provide energy-saving shade,” said the studio.

Precedence

Nouvel’s studio worked with lighting specialist Yann Kersale to create the large suspended heliostat system – a panel of mirrors that tracks sunlight and directs it down into the mass of the building.

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This structure cantilevers 42 metres off the side of the east tower and is made up of 320 reflectors.

By night, the structure uses LEDs to become a grand lighting installation intended to transform the building into a landmark.

Cost The cost of a green wall varies based on the scale of the wall, the nature of the planting and logistical issues such as site access. Typically a green wall will cost in the region of £1, 000 per square meter.

Cost

Power

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The irrigation system is driven by a 4bar pressure pump rated at 0.8kW. using a study of a wall at Edgware Road and during the summer months on each of the 3 zones may operate for up to 9 minutes per day. During the winter months this will reduce to approximately 1 minute per day. An annual average of 4 minutes per day per zone is expected.

4 minutes x 3 zones x 365 days = 4,380 minutes of pump use per year This equates to 73 pump hours per year. 73 x 0.8 = approximately 60 kWh annually. At an average supply rate of £0. 1 0 per kWh this equate to electricity usage of £6 per year.

Water The unique design of the hydroponic Biowall system which we will use due to its cost effeciency. it provides fully comprehensive planting at an average of 1 litre per m2 per day. This is the least water use of any of the living wall systems available today. Note: traditional summer ground planting in beds requires 3 to 4 litres per m2 .

200m2 x 1 litre per day x 365 days = 73m3 of water in a year.

At an average supply rate of £1. 50 per m3 this gives an annual water bill of £110.00. If this is harvested rainwater then there is not supply rate but there are extra installation costs.

Drainage

7.3m3 of water going to drain at an average charge rate of £1. 00 per m3 gives a drainage bill of £7.30 Exclusive of standing charges, the overall annual costs for water,drainage and electricity for this 200m2 wall is therefore expected to be £123.00 Therefore guideline running costs for a living wall (excluding irrigation and horticultural maintenance) can be assumed to be less than £1 per m2 per yea r.

Leaving maintenance to its own bracket which individual manufacturers run their own policy’s and guarantees whcih couldnt be estimated

Cost

Remote sensing and remote control irrigation system allow fine tuning of the system. To keep the wall flushed through, 10% of what is put onto the wall comes off the bottom and goes to drain.

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Pro’ s Dust suppression Large areas of greenery help to suppress dust particles; improving air quality around construction sites and busy highways. This may lead to a reduction in respiratory illness. There has been much focus in London recently on reducing PM10 particles to meet EU regulations.

Pros and Cons

Heat reduction Urbanised areas have a higher average temperature than surrounding countryside. Increasing vegetation in city hot spots, or urban canyons, provides canopy co oling of trapped air and reduces reflected heat. Tests have shown temperature differences of up to 17 C between hard and vegetated surfaces in the same location.

Health & wellbeing 22

Plants and greenery can provide uplifting and calming effects on people whilst having a positive impact on stress-related illnesses.

Studies have shown that simply having a view of greenery increases workplace productivity and patient recovery rates in hospitals.

Noise reduction Planted surfaces have low noise reflectivity and high absorption properties. Ambient noise is attenuated by ivy screens and living hoarding, improving conditions for building occupants and pedestrians.​

Air Purification During the day plants extract carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and many other toxins from the air during photosynthesis, resulting in significant reductions in CO2 levels in well vegetated urban areas.

Aesthetics Vegetated surfaces are generally considered aesthetically pleasing; they can provide a visual impact and focus for onlo okers or can be used to obscure unsightly structures and spaces.

Building protection​ Green walls help reduce UV damage to surfaces and can protect a building from wind, weather and temperature fluctuations, prolonging the life of the structure. These factors could offset maintenance costs of green walls.

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Con’ s Dry out

Depending on the space required for the vegetation or crop the wall space will need to be measured in kind and this can lead to more cost than expected and restricting space for budget making the area of growth insufficient.

Cost Green walls are a luxury item costing between ÂŁ900 ÂŁ1500 per square meter making the inital spend a big one. though the new systems do take some of the hard work out to decreese instilation cost but only so much.

Maintenence living walls and green ro ofs are extreemly labor intensive to maintain as the dencity of vegitation per sqware meter which needs careing for. the living walls which cover the most space usialy are more maintenence than the ro of garden systems

Overview being these are the pros and cons of vertical gardens. The drawbacks can be avoided by carefully planning the garden from its design and construction to its placement to the water irrigation system and the containers that can be chosen to be used.

Pros and Cons

Stunted growth space

Green walls do dry out relatively quickly especially if they do gain a go od amount of sun light as there is no way to move them out of the suns path. Avoid using dark grey metal container systems as it will kill your plants long before they are ready and instead pick a light coloured plastic instead.

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