Tuesday, August 19, 2014

By Deanne Shepard


Over the past century increasing urbanization has resulted in a loss of green spaces and more air pollution. Living green wall systems help to combat these problems. Cutting edge designs not only transform the appearance of the space but have many other benefits too. This is why vertical gardens are popping up all over the world in all sorts of types and sizes. They are found outside on the exteriors of skyscrapers, inside hotel lobbies, office reception areas, educational facilities and more.

These vertical gardens are unlike any other in that the plants are not rooted in the ground. Instead they are rooted inside a structure which is either attached to a wall or freestanding. Some of them are contained in pots in separate trays or boxes. Others are planted in panels and the roots are allowed to grow freely, forming a strong matrix.

These kinds of gardens are at the cutting edge of innovation. The plants are not rooted in the ground and many times soil is not used at all. Plants are able to thrive just about anywhere as long as the roots are receiving nutrients and moisture. Automatic irrigation provides this and porous, lightweight materials are often used instead of soil, making the whole structure light. A great variety of plants from perennials to ground cover are used, enabling the creation of amazing displays of color and texture.

One of the greatest benefits of such a system is that all plants absorb and clean pollutants from the air. A system like this can contain over a thousand plants, all of which absorb carbon dioxide from the air and filter it, releasing oxygen. This helps to improve conditions for those inside a building, helping keep employees alert. Greenery softens any environment, acting as a tonic to ease stress.

Whether a vertical garden is installed inside or outside a building, it can help to reduce energy costs. In summer, an exterior structure can cool down surfaces and result in a cooler interior. In winter, the system traps air in an insulating layer and prevents heat from escaping and cold air from entering.

Throughout the world, plants have been used on highways and busy roads to reduce noise. A vertical garden can have the same effect. Studies have shown that the leaves of plants reflect, refract and absorb acoustic energy. The reduction of noise pollution in an office is proportional to the number of plants in the room. An exterior structure helps to absorb any noise pollution of the city such as traffic, reducing sound penetration.

Environmental concerns are uppermost in many minds today. Companies are all trying to reduce their carbon footprint and such systems are one way to do this. It offers not only energy savings but many other environmental benefits too. Reduction of pollution, saving of water as well as bring bird and insect life back into the cities are just some of these benefits.

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.




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