How is That Possible?
This is because living green walls are made in a structure held away from the wall, or can be free standing, so the roots and irrigation system never come in direct contact with the building’s walls, although a waterproof membrane needs to be installed first to prevent damp issues. Most living walls, interior or exterior, have the plants pre-grown in hydroponic panels with automated irrigation systems which effortlessly maintain the plants without expensive, regular maintenance. Due to their self-sufficient nature, as well as their versatility, green walls are perfect for any business.
Also known as plant walls, vertical gardens and ecowalls, living green walls are ever-increasing in popularity, and not without good reason;
- They can be created indoors as well as outdoors and both have been proven to have a positive impact on the environment as well as our mental well-being.
- These benefits are especially important in cities and urban developments since this is where the majority of us spend our work, home and social lives.
- They can also be added to existing structures, without taking up nearly as much space as ordinary landscaping.
What’s not to love?
The Wow-Factor
Regardless of the shape and size, living green walls are striking in appearance, bringing a lot of attention to your business. Each one is unique as you can choose your plants according to the aesthetic of your company as well as the requirements of its surrounding environment. If you’re looking to revitalize a skyscraper, an entire facade of plant life is sure to make a splash on passersby, as the colorful beauty of nature contrasts with the glass, steel and concrete of the building. While a partition wall of foliage in a spacious and luxurious restaurant would also make quite the impression on visitors, when matched with exposed brick walls and dim lighting.
But it’s not only your visitors you want to stir, but their contacts too. Living walls make the perfect backgrounds for Instagram posts and selfies, so beautiful and original structures such as these green walls are key to creating momentum around your business which will in turn generate more revenue.
It’s ok to think outside the box when it comes to what plants to include in your living wall. Herbs and even fruits and vegetables can be great additions to freshen the air in or around your facility and engage more of your customers’ senses. Although, if harvesting the produce, be careful to have your maintenance team handy, to fill up the unsightly gaps caused in the dense foliage.
Environmental Impact
It stands to reason that adding plant life of any kind to inner cities would benefit the environment in some way, but the extent to which living green walls are actively reducing pollution is unparalleled.
Due to the location of exterior living green walls being at street level in urban areas, they are very effective at removing CO2 from the air, as well as clearing toxic particles and pollutants. In urban canyons, or the spaces between high-rise buildings, pollution can be a particular problem, so this is the optimal space for exterior ecowalls in urban environments.
In addition, plant walls have the added bonus of actually protecting the surrounding building from harsh weather. The rich, dense leaves reflect both UV radiation and solar heat away from buildings, which protects them from overheating and causing urban heat islands, as well as keeping the walls cool and reducing the need for air conditioning. Similarly, it can block strong winds and heavy rain, which reduces the need for heating, and even provide some natural soundproofing to reduce noise pollution in the city, and the office.
And of course, it’s worth mentioning the biodiversity that is supported by living walls, as many different plant types are required to create the most striking living artwork, as well as the various bees and bugs that are attracted to the vertical garden. In small projects, you can even add vertical insect holes by drilling into wood or using bamboo's natural tubular shape to provide homes for those solitary bees that we’re slowly and sadly losing sight of.
Good for Business
Living green walls are not only good for your business revenue by attracting customers to see the display, but also to show your commitment to sustainability. Visitors and employees alike will be awed by the impact of the massive natural display on the environment and how your business utilizes it.
Plus, what’s the use in impressing customers if your employees aren’t happy? Management practices aside, a closeness to nature in our surroundings is proven to reduce stress, improve mental well-being and boost morale. This shows the great value that indoor green walls can bring to your work environment.
The same benefit of outdoor living walls can be seen with indoor ones to boot. Many office spaces are home to some of the most toxic air in cities, as the exhaust fumes, carbon monoxide, particles and gasses stagnate within those four walls, making them dreadful work environments. Big or small, indoor green walls clean this air and pump oxygen back out so your employees no longer have to risk respiratory illnesses, showing you to be the caring and considerate employer that you are.
What’s the Catch?
Since living green walls can be easily adapted to suit the space, budget and environmental requirements of your proposal, they don’t have to put a big hole in your pocket. Although clearly, massive projects such as entire facades, can be pricey.
The only limitation that we can see is that maintenance is absolutely necessary to stop your building looking like a set from a post-apocalyptic movie. There is no need to worry, though, since the landscaping company that installed your living wall will undoubtedly maintain it for you; nurturing the plants intently in the first few months and then trimming and replacing plants in the future, as you require. So even this aspect isn’t too costly if factored into the plans from the get-go.
At Karaoglu Landscaping, we work with our clients on the design, installation and maintenance of their landscaping projects using sustainable practices, to achieve the desired result, in a timely fashion and according to the budget.
Want to know more? Check out our website www.karaoglu.com.tr/en/ for further details or call us on (+90) 216 680 44 41 for a free, non-binding consultation, and let’s get your living green wall installed in no time!