The many positives of having green walls

One of the most conspicuous green trends last year was the emergence of spectacular green walls across Indian cities. From acting as bio-lungs in public spaces to making a brand statement in corporate buildings, green walls have started playing versatile roles in urban architecture.  

VISUAL STATEMENTS

The original intent behind going vertical with plants may have been shrinking urban spaces. But, their growing popularity is more due to the grand visual statement they make. Most green walls are used as feature walls in hotel and corporate lobbies.

FUNCTIONAL BENEFITS

There are many benefits. They can improve air quality, especially in closed, air-conditioned buildings. They can act as noise barriers in bustling workplaces. As facades, they also cool buildings, reducing energy consumption. Collectovely, they act as massive urban air-conditioners, by reducing the ‘urban heat island’ effect generated from all the concrete.

CHALLENGES

There are things customers should know before getting on the bandwagon. First, they are maintenance intensive. They require regular watering, pruning, fertilisation and plant replacement. It is highly inadvisable to sign up for them without having someone with knowledge to maintain them. Second, green walls may look deceptively simple, but involve many design considerations. Does the design need waterproofing to protect the supporting wall? Are the plants selected based on the different light conditions? Does the drainage take care of spots where water might stagnate? 

MAINTENANCE

There are new, maintenance-free alternatives like green walls made from stabilised mosses that need no 
watering. While their upfront cost is higher, their lifetime cost turns out to be less than half. However, these are viable only in indoor environments.