Week 13
Green Walls
BURAK ÇELİK
ADA412 Contemporary Problems in Urban Sustainability Bilkent University Department of Architecture 29.04.2018
Living facades can maximize a project's green space with a minimum-sized footprint, creating a living landscape where it was not thought possible. They are both low-cost and low-maintenance in comparison to other greening options.
Architecturally designed green facades create eye-catching designs that can make a project stand out from the pack. They simultaneously improve the local environment, and increase the desirability of the building.
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Types of Living Walls Climbing Facades The easiest way to introduce a green wall is to mimic Mother Nature and use simple climbing (or trailing) plants. Plants are established in the ground or in suitable troughs at the base of the wall to be covered. A framework is then attached to the wall for the plants to ‘climb-up’ to provide the wall with its green covering.
Hydroponic (soil-less) This technique takes advantage of the fact that plants do not require soil to grow. Soil simply provides mechanic root support for the plant and it is only water (along with the minerals stored in the soil) that is required (in addition to light and carbon dioxide from the air).
Substrate/ Soil-based These systems typically use moulded troughs or containers that are built on or attached to existing walls (or similar structures). Planting is supported by soil-based substrates similar to those used in green roof installations; utilising a lightweight combination of recycled materials containing the right balance of nutrients with a free-draining medium.
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Benefits A living wall offers numerous benefits at economic, ecological and societal level. A living wall helps to purify the air, to reduce the ambient temperature, to regulate the temperature and promotes biodiversity in the city.
Purifies the air The plants in a living wall filter particulate matter from the air and convert CO2 into oxygen. 1 m2 of living wall extracts 2.3 kg of CO2 per annum from the air and produces 1.7 kg of oxygen . With a living wall you contribute to air purification.
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Reduces ambient noise inside and outside A living wall acts as a sound barrier to your building. It absorbs 41% more sound than a traditional facade and this means that the environment is much quieter, both inside and outside your building. This results in a reduction of 8 dB, which means that ambient noise is halved.
Healthy indoor climate Greenery promotes a healthy indoor climate. Complaints such as irritated eyes, headaches, sore throats and tiredness diminish. In offices where there is plenty of greenery, there is a noticeable decrease in absence due to illness.
Increases productivity A green workplace can result in a 15% increase in productivity. Plants have a positive effect on people. This is also reflected in employee satisfaction.
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Offers healing environment Greenery encourages faster recovery for patients, resulting in a shorter hospital stay. A persons tolerance of pain is higher in a green environment. This is also known as a ‘healing environment’.
Creates fire-resistant layer Plants naturally contain a lot of moisture. With a living wall you create a natural fire-resistant layer on your house or office building. In addition, the Sempergreen living wall system is the only one in the market that meets the highest class European fire safety standard B - s2, d0.
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Adds value to the building The natural and sustainable appearance, combined with a reduction in energy costs, means an increase in value of your property.
Extends facade life span A living wall offers protection from external influences such as the sun, rain, wind and temperature fluctuations and extends the life span of your facade.
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Increases biodiversity The plants that are included in the a living wall promote the habitat of birds, butterflies and insects, especially in the city environment which is mainly concrete and asphalt.
No concerns about maintenance Thanks to a maintenance contract, you have no need to worry about maintaining your living wall. We take care of the plants for you and ensure that these are lush and green all year round.
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More social interaction, less vandalism Working or living in a green environment brings people together. It is known that ‘small scale greenery’ in particular has a positive effect on social cohesion in neighbourhoods. Areas with more greenery suffer less hinder from aggression, violence and vandalism.
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Problems: • It may cost more than expected according to the quality of green wall.
• Application and construction is more difficult than an ordinary brick or concrete wall. • It can close the openings which may affect lighting and ventilation. • Maintenance
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Case Study 1: Interior Melissa Galeria The ANS Global team installed the two living walls during the night to prevent disruption to the stores opening hours. The walls provide a stunning green display with 8 species of interior plants
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Case Study 2: Urban Landscape Hardman Square Pavilion This new development in Hardman Square, Manchester has been named “The Field� and has been designed as 'a celebration of green space'.
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Case Study 3: Parking Granta Park Along with the other landscaping such as trees, the plants help disguise the building and make it blend in to the surroundings.
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Case Study 4: Roof Moor Place Six landscaped roof terraces and a living wall covering the top six storeys of the 20,204sqm office building. This new development is one of the first in the UK to achieve both BREEAM excellent and LEED platinum.
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References: https://phys.org/news/2017-02-digital-fabrication-architecture.html https://www.3dhubs.com/knowledge-base/advantages-3d-printing https://lmnarchitects.com/case-study/facade-design-digital-fabrication