Green Wall Benefits

Biophilia is humanity’s intuitive and deeply ingrained attraction to nature.  It actually means ‘ love for other life forms’. It’s why almost everyone pictures a natural setting – a forest, a green field, a beach – when they want to feel calmer and more relaxed.

Vertical gardens are biophilic designs that integrate natural elements, materials and forms into architecture. Research[i] shows that they can provide us with measurable physical and physiological benefits such as:

• reduced stress levels
• enhanced cognitive function and creativity
• a deeper sense of happiness and well-being
• an ability to heal faster.

Vertical gardens will often bring together a wide range of plants. Research has shown this melange of species can have an even more potent biophilic effect.

In big cities, we spend close to 90% of our lives learning, working, socialising, relaxing and sleeping inside. These air conditioned environments contain toxins such as formaldehyde, VOCs, trichloroethylene, carbon monoxide, benzene, toluene and xylene – a heady concoction for our lungs to try and filter every day.

Plants have long been known to naturally absorb and filter air pollutants. More recently, a NASA study[ii] found that:

• plant leaves and root micro-organisms can remove these toxins from modern building air
• certain tropical species are more efficient than others
• extra oxygen released from plants helps keep people awake and alert.

With a vertical garden, you could have hundreds of plant species matched to your environment creating safe, clean air in your building day and night.

External vertical walls

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is a result of the land and atmosphere being modified to build cities. Hard inert surfaces – such as building walls – become far hotter with increasing exposure.

Vertical gardens will play an important role in making the cities of tomorrow more sustainable by:

• reducing thermal energy flowing through building walls to inner surfaces
• decreasing cooling load demands placed on air-conditioning systems
• increasing energy savings.

Internal vertical walls

An inside building wall featuring a range of lush, green plant species will emulate a natural exterior environment, resulting in:

• a slightly cooler air temperature
• a more natural humidity level
• subtle, pleasant airflow not present without vegetation.

In reverberation chamber tests[i] and many different building settings, internal vertical gardens have proven to:

• increase wall sound absorption co-efficiency
• enhance speech privacy
• improve ambient noise levels of office environments

Architects and designers

• Amazing new design possibilities
• A space saving way to include greenery
• Transform unsightly spaces
• Ecologically responsible and proactive design

Building owners

• Reduced operating costs through insulation, lower power costs, etc
• Potential boost to property value
• Aesthetic, acoustic and biophilic benefits attract tenants and visitors
• Own a landmark property
• Improved air quality means healthier staff, customers, etc

Office workers, shoppers and residents

• An enjoyable place to work and visit
• A sense of well-being
• Feel healthier and more relaxed
• Feel they are supporting something that is doing good for the planet