GREEN WALLAn Overview

Contents• Introduction• History of Green Walls• Types of Green Walls• Benefits of Green Walls• Main Factors• Special Cases• Challenges• Conclusion

Introduction• Increased environmental

consciousness• Sustainable development• Greening of buildings• Green walls

History of Green Walls

The hanging gardens of Babylon

Some important developments• 1920s: The British and North American garden city movement promote

the integration of house and garden through features such as self-clinging climbing plants.

• 1988: Introduction of a stainless steel cable system for green facades. • 1990s:Introduction of Cable and wire-rope net systems• 1993: First major application of a trellis panel system in California• 1994: Indoor living wall with bio-filtration system installed in Canada• 2002: The MFO Park opened in Switzerland. The project featured over

1,300 high par climbing plants.• 2005: The Japanese government sponsored a massive green wall in Expo

2005, comprised of 30 different modular green wall systems available in Japan.

• 2007: Seattle implements the Green Factor, which includes green walls.

Different TypesGreen Wall

Green Facades

Cable and Wire-Rope Net

Systems

Modular Trellis Panel

System

Living Walls

Modular Living Wall

Vegetated Mat Wall

Green FacadesClimbing plants or cascading groundcovers to cover

specially designed supporting structuresRooted at the base of these structures, in the

ground, in intermediate planters or on rooftopsSelf-clinging plants such as English ivyTheir sucker root attach directly to a wall, covering

entire surfacesThese can damage unsuitable walls and/or cause

difficulties when the time comes for maintenance.

Green Facades

Cable and Wire-Rope Net SystemsCables are employed to support faster

growing climbing plants with denser foliageWire-nets are used to support slower growing

plants that need supports at closer intervals

Modular Trellis Panel Systemlight weight, three-dimensional panel made

from a galvanized and welded steel wireBecause of the panels are rigid, they can span

between structures and can also be used for freestanding green walls.

Living WallsPre-vegetated panels, vertical modules or planted

blankets, fixed vertically to a structural wall or frame

Panels made of plastic, expanded polystyrene, synthetic fabric, clay, metal, and concrete

Support a great diversity and density of plant species

There are various forms, with the main differences between interior and exterior designs.

Living Walls

Modular Living WallEmerged from the use of modules for green

roof applications, with a number of technological innovations

Often pre-grown, providing an 'instant' green effect upon completion of the installation

Vegetated Mat WallComposed of two layers of synthetic fabric

with pockets that physically support plants and growing media

Nutrients distributed through an irrigation system that cycles water from the top to down

BENEFITS OF GREEN FACADES AND LIVING WALLS

PUBLIC/PRIVATE BENEFITSArea of impact Description Benefits

Reduce urban heat island effect

Temperature rise in urban areas caused by the replacement of natural vegetation by other structures

Promotes natural cooling and reduces temperature.

Improved exterior air quality

Modern urban environments are having high concentration of air pollutants

Captures airborne pollutants and filters particulate matter

Aesthetic improvement

studies have linked the presence of plants to improved human health and mental well being

•Creates visual interest•Increases property values•Hides unsightly features

Building structure protection

Buildings are exposed to the weathering and cause deterioration

Protects exterior from UV radiation and temperature fluctuations

Improved energy efficiency

Improves thermal insulation capacity through external temperature regulation

Reduces ambient Temperature

Improved indoor air quality

Filter contaminates that are flushed out of buildings through traditional ventilation systems

Captures airborne pollutants such as dust and pollen

Environmental BenefitsOffer cooling in the city through direct shading

and evaporate transpirationFilters gaseous and particulate pollutants from

the atmosphere in the urban environment

Economical Benefits

Reduce climatic stress on building and increase the service and practical life of buildings and reduce cost on the painting materialsReduce energy used for cooling vastly

Aesthetics

Well designed green walls provide good aesthetic look

Other benefits

Increased biodiversityUrban agriculture

MAIN FACTORS

Plant selectionIrrigation

1. Elements of a Living Wall

2. Factors for Successful Green Facades

i. Attachment to building envelope ii. Calculation of structural loadsiii. Plant selectioniv. Plant maintenancev. Registered manufactures and trained

installers

3.Factors Affecting Living Walls

i. Irrigationii. Use correctly specified plantsiii. Consideration of the microclimatesiv. Growing medium

4. Cost

i. Project size. ii. Design team costs.iii. System type.iv. Support structure requirements. v. Building location. vi. Complexity of design.vii. Use of standard or custom components.

5. Maintenance

• Different plants will have different irrigation and nutrient requirements

• Cable and wire-rope system require periodic checking to ensure that the elements are properly in place as the plants mature

• Living walls require regular irrigation and degree of maintenance required will depend on the type of living wall system and the vegetation used.

• Aesthetic qualities expected by client

SPECIAL CASES

1. Loose Medium Wall2. Mat Medium Wall3. Structural Media Wall4. Pro Wall5. Versa Wall Systems

CHALANGES

1.Expense2.Heavy Load3.Maintenance

CONCLUSIONS

• Green walls provide an efficient tool in energy saving, bio diversity and temperature-air control

• Offer a new emerging way to a green built environment

• Still under research, not commonly practiced in India, but in foreign countries like USA, Japan & France

• To be hoped that the development of experience & knowledge of benefits will encourage people to switch to green built construction.