Urban Garden Living Walls: Combining Architecture and Nature

Whether you are a home or garden enthusiast, you would likely find the innovative combination of the two—urban garden living walls—fascinating.

In this blog post, I’ll delve into the unique architecture of urban garden living walls, and the benefits they offer for urban communities.

I’ll explore the various plants suitable for these living walls, what to consider when deciding on plant selection, and even guide you through the process of building your very own living wall.

Let’s explore the exciting possibilities and benefits that come with combining architecture and nature.

The Architecture of Urban Garden Living Walls

Urban garden living walls come in many different types, each designed to meet specific needs. From modular panels to freestanding systems, these walls are an incredibly versatile addition to any building.

There are many materials used for building urban garden living walls as well. For example, some walls are made from metal, while others use concrete or wood. You can even find walls made from recycled materials like tires, plastic bottles, and even old cell phones.

When building an urban garden living wall, it’s important to consider various design elements such as purpose, location, and budget. You will also need to carefully consider your planting strategy, as different plants grow better in different conditions.

Remember to keep in mind the needs of the plants you want to grow, including sunlight, nutrient requirements, and water. Make sure you select plants that are both easy to care for and that will thrive in the location where you want to build your living wall.

Finally, you should make sure to choose a design that complements the existing architecture of the building. This will help create an aesthetically pleasing addition that integrates well with the rest of the structure.

Overall, building an urban garden living wall requires careful consideration and planning. However, with the right combination of materials and plants, you can create a beautiful and functional addition to any building.

The Benefits of Urban Garden Living Walls

Urban garden living walls offer many benefits for residents in cities. One of the most significant advantages is thermal insulation. By covering the exterior of buildings with plants, the temperature inside can be regulated, making the living space more comfortable throughout the year.

In addition to thermal regulation, urban garden living walls also have a positive impact on air quality. The plants absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants, creating cleaner and healthier air for residents.

Another benefit of urban garden living walls is the reduction of noise levels. The living walls absorb sound, which helps to decrease the amount of street noise that enters the building. This can lead to a more peaceful and relaxing home environment.

Moreover, urban garden living walls are an opportunity for biodiversity in the city. The walls can serve as habitats for birds, insects, and other wildlife.

Overall, urban garden living walls are a great way to enhance the living experience in urban areas. They provide thermal insulation, reduce air pollution and noise levels, and offer opportunities for biodiversity. If you’re considering enhancing the exterior of your building, I strongly recommend the use of urban garden living walls.

The Plants Suitable for Urban Garden Living Walls

Urban garden living walls can house plenty of unique plants. When selecting plants, you should consider the wall’s sunlight, humidity, and temperature. If you choose native plants, they are more likely to survive and thrive since they have already adapted to the local environment.

For urban garden living walls, low-maintenance plants are ideal since the wall might not be easily accessible for watering, trimming, or soil replacement. Succulents and epiphytes are some examples of low-maintenance plants - they can store water and nutrients inside their leaves, meaning that they do not require too much care.

Moreover, when choosing plants for your wall, you should aim to create contrast, texture, and color. A living wall with contrasting hues and leaf shapes can be an attractive addition to your home or building. However, if you don’t know where to start, you can always consult with a professional landscaper for guidance on plant selection.

In conclusion, part of the beauty of urban garden living walls is that they can house a range of different plants. While considering native species and low-maintenance plants will likely make for a heartier wall, there is also room for creativity, contrast, and color.

Building Your Own Urban Garden Living Wall

Building your very own urban garden living wall is a fun and exciting way to bring more greenery into your life and create a unique and eye-catching feature in your home or office space. To get started, you’ll need a few basic tools and materials to make sure you have everything you need to construct your living wall.

Firstly, you will need to get a good quality growing medium that is suitable for use in vertical gardens. A high-quality soil or soilless mix will provide the necessary nutrients and support for the plants in your living wall. You’ll also need a frame structure to hold your plants in place – this can be made from wood, PVC piping or wire mesh, depending on your preference.

Secondly, get plants that are most suitable for vertical gardening. It is important to choose plants that are low maintenance and can withstand the harsh growing conditions of living walls. Some great choices include ferns, ivy, succulents, and herbs such as mint or basil.

When it comes to building your living wall, the first step is to design your frame structure and mounting system. You’ll want to make sure it is securely fastened to the wall and has sufficient support to hold the weight of the plants as they grow.

Once your frame is in place, you can begin to add your growing medium and plants. Be sure to select a variety of different plants and arrange them in a visually pleasing way. It’s important to ensure that the plants have enough space to grow and that they are placed to receive the right amount of light.

To care for your living wall, make sure to water your plants regularly and fertilize them according to their individual needs. You may also need to prune and trim your plants to keep them from getting overgrown and maintain the desired shape of your living wall.

Building your own urban garden living wall may seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and a bit of creativity, anyone can create a stunning and functional living wall in their home or office. Not only will you be adding more greenery to your life, but you’ll also be contributing to the health and wellbeing of our environment and creating a positive impact on our planet.

Urban Garden Living Walls Around the World

Have you ever walked by a building and noticed plants growing on its façade? These are urban garden living walls, also known as vertical gardens, green walls, or ecological walls. They have been popular across the globe for the past decade.

If you visit Paris, you will see hundreds of vertical gardens, including the one at Musée du Quai Branly. This museum displays a 200-meter-long wall covered by a dense mixture of 15,000 plants composed of 150 different species.

Toronto, Canada hosts two of North America’s biggest living walls. The first one is installed at the University of Toronto’s lecture hall, presenting an exceptional blend of aesthetic and functionality. The second one in Toronto is at the North America’s biggest shopping mall, the Edmonton Mall.

In the United Arab Emirates, the world’s tallest vertical garden is installed in Dubai’s One Central Building. This sustainable plant wall is over 36 meters tall and includes over 250,000 plants.

The impact of urban garden living walls in global cities is remarkable. Major benefits include decreased air pollution, enhanced biodiversity, and thermal insulation. Different cities have adopted vertical gardens with dissimilar goals. For instance, Singapore uses it extensively to increase the greenery and livability of high-rise buildings.

With the cities becoming denser and air quality decreasing, the trend of urban garden living walls is likely to rise in the future. More and more building owners and decorators of public spaces are looking to green their facades.

With this, I encourage you to join the movement and make a significant impact with a small space.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, urban garden living walls are a great way to bring beauty and nature into your urban environment.

They are beneficial not only for their aesthetic value but also for their ability to reduce air pollution, promote biodiversity, and provide thermal insulation.

I encourage you to try building your own living wall and experience the joy of having a beautiful and functional green space in your home or office.

So, what do you think?

Are you ready to build your own urban garden living wall?

If yes, I’d love to hear how it turns out!

Send me a message and let me know which plants you chose and how the construction process went for you.

If you found this post helpful, please share it on social media so that others can benefit from the information too.

Urban garden living walls are a simple and effective way to improve your quality of life and the environment around you.

Let’s all do our part to combine architecture and nature in our urban spaces.