Living walls, those lush vertical gardens gracing many urban centres, have become a popular trend for a reason. They bring nature indoors, can purify the air, and add a touch of tranquility to any space. But what about the exterior of your building? While the standard living wall system might not be practical for long-term outdoor use – due to weather and maintenance concerns – there is another option: outdoor green walls, also known as facades, built upon trellis systems.
Trellis Systems: The Backbone of Outdoor Green Walls
Unlike living walls, which are self-contained systems with integrated irrigation, exterior green facades rely on climbing plants and a supporting trellis structure. The trellis acts as a skeletal framework, guiding and providing support for vining plants to grow upwards and outwards, creating a living wall effect on the exterior of your building. Trellis systems come in various materials like wood, metal, or even cables, offering flexibility in design and aesthetics.
The Power of Plants on Your Building
These outdoor green walls are more than just an aesthetic choice for your building. These systems offer a multitude of benefits for your building’s performance and longevity:
- Improved Building Insulation: Climbing plants act as a natural insulator, creating a layer of air between the building envelope and the external environment. This translates to your building being cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, leading to reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling.
- Reduced Urban Heat Island Effect: Cities tend to be significantly warmer than surrounding areas due to the abundance of heat-absorbing concrete and asphalt. Outdoor green walls help mitigate this effect by absorbing heat and releasing moisture through evapotranspiration, creating a cooler microclimate around the building.
- Enhanced Building Protection: The vegetation on an outdoor green wall acts as a natural barrier, protecting the building’s exterior walls from harsh sunlight, wind, and rain. This reduces wear and tear on the exterior of your building, potentially extending its lifespan.
- Increased Biodiversity: Exterior green facades provide a habitat for pollinators like bees and butterflies, promoting urban biodiversity and creating a more ecologically friendly environment.
Beyond Function: The Aesthetic Appeal
The visual impact of a well-designed exterior green facade is undeniable. Lush greenery cascading down the side of a building adds a touch of life and softens the harsh lines of urban architecture. Outdoor green walls can even be customized with various climbing plants, creating a vibrant and visually appealing addition to your property.
Planning Outdoor Green Walls
While exterior green facades offer numerous benefits, careful planning is crucial. Factors like climate, sun exposure, plant selection, and the type of trellis system all need to be considered. Consulting with a professional in green architect with experience in outdoor green walls will ensure a successful and long-lasting installation.
A Sustainable Future for Buildings
Exterior green facades using trellis systems offer a win-win solution. They enhance a building’s performance, durability, and aesthetics while promoting sustainability and the health of the environment. As we move towards a greener future for our cities, outdoor green walls stand as a testament to the power of integrating nature into our architecture. So, next time you’re looking for ways to improve your building, consider letting nature climb its way up the walls.