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Leslie Shelton
5 years ago
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2 context: my background A lifetime of involvement in landscapes: 1979> apprenticed AA-W, water gardens 1982> practicing arboriculturalist 1987> practicing landscape designer MLD 2007 conceived of & co-founded Biotecture Joint patent holder Biowall Designed many of UK s iconic living walls 2013 set up Vertology Living Walls

3 biowall system My original co-patented system: Flexible, modular, hydroponic Stable, slow to dry out Pre-grown Licensed in a range of climates and countries Dubai, USA, Norway

4 why hydroponic? Have tried both compost and hydroponic methods: compost is a temporary growing medium compost binds both water and nutrients compost becomes exhausted, compacted (no air) and erodes hydroponics more stable, rockwool has superb air-water balance, zero cat ion exchange rockwool retains water available to roots for many days in event of water supply failure rockwool does not biodegrade less water is used per m²/day nutrients are auto-dosed in precise quantities through water

6 modular hydroponic system Subtle enhancements: improved drainage/ irrigation method improved air-water balance internal & external grades rockwool lighter weight per m² regularised plant spacing across all module sizes optimal 50 plants m²

7 viridiwall profile Irridrain gutter combines drainage of the module above with housing of the 12mm pressurecompensated drip line. Growing medium is a horticultural grade of mineral fibre (rockwool). This acts as a sponge, retaining water, air and dissolved nutrients. In vertical growing, this provides greater stability than compost. Two grades of rockwool used, for interior and exterior use. There is no build-up of mineral salts in the medium, as there is no ionic bonding. Capillary break slows and distributes water across the whole panel width. Drainage occurs at the bottom of panel into the Irridrain From there water is moved into a vertical drainage membrane.

8 viridiwall specification medium inert chemically inert horticultural rockwool, holds 80% volume as water, minimum of 15% air with a general water-air balance at approx 50%. weight fully saturated 45kg/m² water requirements max 1-2ltr/m²/day nutrients % plant area required, average size 180cmL x 55cmD x 80cmH drainage approx. 15% of input standard panel dimensions 600x500mm 12 different panel sizes, plus corners and top units

This returns the drainage water into the supply tank.

10 recirculating & non-recirculating Non-recirculating systems are standard but for internal installations we can use a recirc unit. This returns the drainage water into the supply tank. Such units are not connected to mains water supply or drainage, facilitating easy and cheaper install.

11 basebox indoor units

12 basebox indoor unit

13 basebox indoor unit Installed Islington: Self contained recirculating unit, with no connections to mains water or drainage. Fascia supplied by shopfitters. water supply lasts 45 days.

14 basebox indoor unit Install in Exeter: Self contained twin-tank recirculating unit, with no connections to mains water or drainage. 6.5m² wall twin tank water supply lasts 30+ days.

Purpose: To facilitate the coverage of slopes, angled

15 plantbrick multi-planar system Individual pre-planted rockwool bricks build up to make a Living surface. Purpose: To facilitate the coverage of slopes, angled walls and curves Including intensive flat roofs on an extensive weight.

16 plant choice plants are chosen to suit the climate, aspect, height and wind loading of the situation evergreen perennials, grasses, herbs sub-shrubs and ground-cover plants are used deciduous plants may be used in small quantities. tender and tall woody plants are not used indoor plants are sub-tropical in nature, we use the same palette globally in new climates/regions, test walls are set up to find the most suitable local plants

17 sun loving S-W aspect

18 shade plants N-E aspect

19 native plants

20 indoor plants - indirect light

21 design - why design? There is currently little interest in the design aspect of a living wall. Often a wall is specified and a QS will find a living wall. this gives little consideration or interest in design, yet design is crucial to the long-term effectiveness, health and success of a living wall. Not considering design is a bit like ordering a car without specifying the make, colour, spec, number of doors etc. If you only go on price, you know what to expect.

22 design process Each wall is of bespoke design, taking into account: aspect, location, microclimate time of year, plant availability client brief/preference site references purpose inspirations maintenance

23 design presentation

24 design

25 montage

26 plant design brochure Name: Type: Conditions: Character/habit: Euphorbia amyg. Robbiae Evergreen Perennial Sun, Semi-shade Spreading perennial with dark, evergreen foliage and flowers typical of the species Native to: Size: Flowering: Hardiness: Wall Aspect: Comment: UK, Europe, Turkey mm May-June Hardy S, E, W Wonderful dark foliage Maintenance: Annual prune, either deadhead after flowering or cutting back into old wood in Spring. Caution: Sap is a skin irritant. All projects come with a descriptive plant brochure

27 maintenance plant maintenance can vary from quarterly visits to monthly, dependent upon plant type, location and client needs maintenance can only be done economically with good access nutrients need to be provided at intervals systems should have an annual overhaul plant health is guaranteed by an on-going maintenance contract

28 maintenance access

29 maintenance pitfalls no remote monitoring insufficient time given/costed under-trained staff (non-horticultural) Kew/RHS standards poor plant selection poor plant arrangement difficult access arrangements client puts contracts out to lowest bidder building changes ownership services turned off insufficient light (indoors and light wells) over/under watering build up of mineral salts

30 future relevance no systems are yet perfect living walls deliver eco-system services living walls and roofs form bio-membranes buildings must become cyclical, self-sustaining living walls insulate, cool dissipate sound combat air pollution provide biophilia support urban biodiversity lessen urban heat island produce food and even energy

31 contact Vertology Ltd Adjacent Manor Nursery Pagham Road Runcton Chichester W Sussex PO20 1LJ +44 (0) hello@vertology.uk.com

For more information go to

For more information go to LIVING WALL SYSTEMS ALONG WITH ITS RANGE OF GREEN ROOF SYSTEMS, WALLBARN OFFERS A DESIGN, SUPPLY AND INSTALL SERVICE FOR LIVING WALLS. Living walls are an extension to the concept of green roofs. Buildings