In a recent laboratory fit-out for a University, the client requested that we design a place for greenery within the common spaces. For universities and companies that are looking to design LEED certified projects, or bring existing projects into LEED compliance, Green Walls can be a key factor in earning certification. Increasingly, clients and occupants are seeking out ways of incorporating plantings in their renovations. The living wall, or green wall, provides an architectural, and sustainable solution to the desire for interior garden space. Installed in Europe for over 15 years, such walls are beginning to take hold here in United States. Janice Goodman of Cityscapes, Inc., a designer and installer of green walls, noted that she is receiving inquiries and requests for proposals at least 2-3 times per week, a trend that has been happening over the last 6-8 years as more walls are installed and maintained successfully.
LEED Innovation Credit: Living Walls by Stephanie Goldberg
In a recent laboratory fit-out for a University, the client requested that we design a place for greenery within the common spaces. For universities and companies that are looking to design LEED certified projects, or bring existing projects into LEED compliance, Green Walls can be a key factor in earning certification. Increasingly, clients and occupants are seeking out ways of incorporating plantings in their renovations. The living wall, or green wall, provides an architectural, and sustainable solution to the desire for interior garden space. Installed in Europe for over 15 years, such walls are beginning to take hold here in United States
The benefits of a living wall are tremendous. In terms of the physical atmosphere of a space, plants have a positive effect on the occupants. Plants also help clean the air and contribute to better air quality, especially in spaces where there are no operable windows. Considerations, however, need to be made for a successful installation.
Understand the system. Typically hung off a supporting wall, a green wall is essentially a series of planted metal cells. The wall can either be installed with a top tank and drip tray or connected to an irrigation and drain system. As the saturated weight of a 4” thick wall panel is 20 psf. of vertical surface, the ability of the floor structure to hold the wall needs to be reviewed with a structural engineer, and an anchoring system established. Having a vertical garden that is immediately filled out is important both to the first impressions the client, but also to the longevity of the plantings. Ms. Goodman notes pre-planting is ideal. In this case, cells would be filled and planted at least a month prior to installation, to allow the plants to be fully rooted and the soil fixed in place.
Plan for the specific lighting conditions. Whether near a southern window, or in the core of a building, there are appropriate plants for the available light. Rather than creating lighting for the plantings, develop the plantings around the light. Jan Goodman notes that she designs by using the appropriate high and low light plants. Occasionally, she has recommended supplemental lighting, however, that is less common.
Review the wall with the Mechanical Engineer. According to Steve Sundius, of Rist-Frost- Shumway Engineering, P.C., certain types of mechanical systems, such as chilled beams, are more sensitive to changes in the dew point of the ambient air. “My concern is for the moisture which the Green Wall may give off to the ambient air,” notes Mr. Sundius. “In order to avoid condensation on the chilled beams we need to control the dew point of the ambient air such that the chilled beam temperature is never below the dew point temperature … This is not really a concern with other systems (fan coils, VAV) as they have condensate pans or handle dew point control in other ways. If the plants do not give off a lot of moisture, this is probably not an issue.” Thus when installing gardens in a space served by chilled beams, either look toward designing with plants that thrive in drier conditions, or limit the size of a green wall.
Vertical Gardens can anchor a space and bring the outdoors inside in a way that integrates with the architecture. They are also key players in LEED certification. For renovations and new construction, green walls can provide credits in Innovation in Design (ID). For Operation and Management such walls contribute to sustainable purchasing credits (MR), and directly satisfy two indoor environmental quality (EQ) Credits: Credit 1.4 IAQ Best Management Practices – Reducing Particulates in Air Distribution, and Credit 2.1: Occupant Comfort, as well as Innovation in Operations (IO). Used in a wide range of projects, from restaurants to hospitals to laboratories, green walls are gaining popularity. WIth a certain level of care and understanding of their requirements for installation, they can be successful additions to a wide range of sustainable projects.
Stephanie Goldberg, AIA, LEED AP BD+C is a principal of Lab/ Life. Science. Architecture, Inc., a Boston based design firm specializing in Laboratory Design.