Vertical Garden

The vertical garden, or green wall is the new application of gardening to architecture, in this case with a new way of cultivating plants without soil or horizontal substrate. Observing the ability of the roots to grow along a vertical surface, French botanist Patrick Blanc patented his invention in 1988 calling it "mur végétal". This concept that somewhat recalls the hanging gardens of ancient Babylon, has been developed in many works, More than one hundred operations worldwide, also designed the first vertical garden Spain in the building of the Swiss CaixaForum Madrid Herzog & De Meuron. It also has also collaborated with such architects in transforming Spain's Square in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, specifically in the walls of the halls. This "green architecture" can be implemented in both exterior and interior spaces and in any climatic environment, selecting the most suitable plants for this climate conditions.
CaixaForum, Madrid. Photos: sallylondon, Flickr
Spain Pavilion Square, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Photos: Mataparda, Flickr
Blanc explains: “Plants do not need soil, since land is only half. Only water and nutrients dissolved therein multiple, along with light and carbon dioxide, are essential for plants. Wherever water is never lacking, as in tropical forests, plant extend over the tree trunks, the rocks of the cliffs… For example, some 2.500 of the 8.000 known species of plants grow without soil in Malaysia”.The Vertical Garden is composed of three main elements: a metallic, a plastic sheet and a layer of polyamide felt. For CaixaForum Madrid, has a height of 24 meters, a thickness of three feet and a length of 19 meters. It is placed slightly away from the facade of the existing building, in order not to transmit effort. The resulting plant surface extends along 460 m. Consists 15.000 plants 250 different species.

The elements that make up these interventions are:

Wireframe: It is a freestanding vertical structure, of 24 meters, and is the basis upon which rest the auxiliary structure and all elements of the Vertical Garden. This consists of six main towers and a system of hollow. Form an air layer acting as a thermal insulation system and very efficient phonic.

Support panel: Is formed by a panel of expanded PVC subject to metal. This layer gives rigidity to the whole structure and makes it waterproof.

Irrigation layer: Formed by a double blanket of synthetic fibers and a plastic film on its inner surface, is secured by staples to the support panel. It is the basis of support from the entire plantation. The felt is special, so it does not rot, and enormous capillarity allows a homogeneous distribution of water. Plants are distributed along this layer of felt (the density is about 30 plants per square meter) and roots growing along it.

Plantation: Is performed by inserting the plant roots, landless, between the two layers of the blanket, and fixed by staples.

Water and nutrients and water collection: A network of pipes, drippers with and fed by a water pump and nutrients, is fixed on the blanket rooting. Irrigation water, enriched with nutrients, is performed from the top of the structure, and automatic. Water trickles down the wall is collected by a gutter placed in the bottom of the Vertical Garden. This will solve the problem that could generate excess runoff water.

These types of gardens can be developed on any wall, regardless of size or height. Thanks to its thermal insulation effect, to reduce power consumption (winter, isolated from the cold; summer, acts as a natural cooling system) and clean the air (pollution particles are attracted to the felt, where they gradually decompose and remineralize, thus becoming fertilizer for plants).

Guelph-Humber University. Photos: Inside Urban Green

BHV Homme Store, Paris. Photos: Flickr

In any city or part of the world a blank wall can become a Vertical Garden becoming a valuable shelter for biodiversity, bringing nature into the daily lives of citizens.

12 comments to Garden Vertical

  • The vertical gardens not only serve as decoration, also be used for cooling the air as this vertical garden AC

  • Thanks for your input, such a system unknown. A greeting

  • hello friends, I draw much attention Vertical garden theme, I kno for a while a similar concept called equal age or younger or more biopulmones and was exhibited at the International Fair japan and a couple of years ago I do not remember exactly the date.
    but if the article talked about gardens on the walls similar to this project, interests me a lot to have or contact any person or technician in charge of this project for more information, I would like to implement in my country COSTA RICA, in metropli, and surrounding cities, I consider it of great importance, uqe and every day we stole wing space nature through industrialization and urban growth, I dream of implementing it in my country.
    I bid good thank you very much expecting some kind of information or email, to help me get more information about the project.
    my name is HUGO RODRIGUEZ A, eco-tourism student. thanks.

  • isa

    and how much is the placement of this system by m2

  • Anonymous

    This message is for HUGO RODRIGUEZ A… also known as The MOPT. My name is Alexander Masis and Redforest Group work in COSTA RICA, Our company designs and builds vertical gardens. Any questions you can call me 8333-9378 or write to gruporedforest@hotmail.com for more information.

  • Dove

    Dear Hugo Rodriguez, Urban landscaping company in Spain imparts training on vertical gardening and urban landscaping in South America. Dig into your page. A greeting!

  • hello, dove how are you, regards, thanks for the info, read as well as I am in the field of ecotourism and other, always interested me everything related to environmental technology and other. I would like to study and learn to develop gardens verdicales, but hey at least I'm from low-income and I do not have to pay for economic solvency or pay for a study of this magnitude, you talk to me a Spanish company that teaches these courses, I am very interested, I wonder if there is any help system, either grants or with an organization, you can fund the study or something.. thank you very much DOVE. I leave you for your attention. HUGO COSTA RICA

  • Ing. Sonia Montoya

    Hello Hugo, and there is a company in Costa Rica that makes vertical gardens, tropic called live and have website:

    http://www.tropicovivo.com

    I saw a job I had at the show Expotur 2011 in the horseshoe hotel and was very well done.

    Suddenly they can help.

    Regards

  • for Ing. Sonia Montoya thank you very much. very nice for your reply and for your valuable time, buscare information, and again thanks, greetings and a hug, hugo to rodriguez Astua. :-)

  • di good greetings to all, I take this means to offer my services, I need a job, in agro-ecotourism, naturalist guide, or any job related to my studies, and if not, no matter any other job offer whatever, I need to work, to finish my college. readily available throughout the country, any time, I learn fast, skilled, enthusiastic and dynamic,. my choreo elmopt182@gmail.com , mobile 87445965 thank you very much any information provided will be well received, thank you very much.

  • In Barcelona we develop vertical gardens. Our web pag http://www.arrelsjardins.com
    With Ecocert certification.

  • Advise construction thereof. We supply the substrate and structures already made. Just hang.