Cities are suffering from noise and air pollution as well as lack of greenery. One way to deal with this problem is by utilizing living green wall systems. These are designed to beautify sterile environments and offer a host of other benefits as well. Today they are found all over the world on the exteriors and interiors of buildings, from office blocks to hotels.
A garden like this consists of plants rooted within a structure that is either freestanding or attached to an existing wall. Some systems utilize boxes or trays that are filled with soil or other materials like peat or coco coir. The trays are planted up and then stacked onto a backing board. Modular movable structures can even be used in the middle of a room. Another system consists of a frame and panels in which plants are grown.
As long as roots receive moisture and nutrients, they can grow just about anywhere. There are many ways of getting food and water to the plants in these structures such as automatic irrigation systems. Sometimes instead of soil, other materials that are more lightweight and porous are used. Many plants thrive under these conditions, from ground covers to shrubs. Different sizes, colors and textures can be used to create diverse patterns and designs.
A wall like this acts as a natural air filter. It removes carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. In an office space this can really help to protect the health of employees and increase productivity. The working conditions are enhanced as they breathe in the clean air and stress is reduced by the calming effect of the abundant foliage.
These vertical gardens help to reduce energy bills in winter and summer. During summer there is an increased demand for air conditioning as buildings heat up. An exterior vertical garden keeps the surface cooler and less heat is radiated inwards. The transpiration of plants indoors also cools the surrounding environment. In winter, insulation is provided by a layer of trapped air, causing less heat to escape and less cold air to come in.
Plants have always been used as a barrier for noise reduction such as those used alongside highways. A vertical garden, particularly one containing a large number of plants, can significantly reduce noise pollution. An exterior one can absorb the noises of the city such as traffic. Noise pollution inside an office can be reduced significantly too, making a work environment more pleasant.
The features of a vertical garden all act together to reduce the carbon footprint of a building. This is good news in a world where environmental concerns are becoming a priority. Any company that wants to promote their green image can use such a system as a marketing tool. These oases with their abundant foliage are succeeding in bringing back biodiversity into the cities by attracting birds, bees and butterflies.
Designing and implementing a vertical garden which is aesthetically pleasing and easy to maintain is a complex task. It requires proper planning, an excellent knowledge of plants and creativity. It can be fairly costly to implement but the cost is well worth it for the many benefits it provides.
A garden like this consists of plants rooted within a structure that is either freestanding or attached to an existing wall. Some systems utilize boxes or trays that are filled with soil or other materials like peat or coco coir. The trays are planted up and then stacked onto a backing board. Modular movable structures can even be used in the middle of a room. Another system consists of a frame and panels in which plants are grown.
As long as roots receive moisture and nutrients, they can grow just about anywhere. There are many ways of getting food and water to the plants in these structures such as automatic irrigation systems. Sometimes instead of soil, other materials that are more lightweight and porous are used. Many plants thrive under these conditions, from ground covers to shrubs. Different sizes, colors and textures can be used to create diverse patterns and designs.
A wall like this acts as a natural air filter. It removes carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. In an office space this can really help to protect the health of employees and increase productivity. The working conditions are enhanced as they breathe in the clean air and stress is reduced by the calming effect of the abundant foliage.
These vertical gardens help to reduce energy bills in winter and summer. During summer there is an increased demand for air conditioning as buildings heat up. An exterior vertical garden keeps the surface cooler and less heat is radiated inwards. The transpiration of plants indoors also cools the surrounding environment. In winter, insulation is provided by a layer of trapped air, causing less heat to escape and less cold air to come in.
Plants have always been used as a barrier for noise reduction such as those used alongside highways. A vertical garden, particularly one containing a large number of plants, can significantly reduce noise pollution. An exterior one can absorb the noises of the city such as traffic. Noise pollution inside an office can be reduced significantly too, making a work environment more pleasant.
The features of a vertical garden all act together to reduce the carbon footprint of a building. This is good news in a world where environmental concerns are becoming a priority. Any company that wants to promote their green image can use such a system as a marketing tool. These oases with their abundant foliage are succeeding in bringing back biodiversity into the cities by attracting birds, bees and butterflies.
Designing and implementing a vertical garden which is aesthetically pleasing and easy to maintain is a complex task. It requires proper planning, an excellent knowledge of plants and creativity. It can be fairly costly to implement but the cost is well worth it for the many benefits it provides.
No comments:
Post a Comment