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PROJECT

natural elements, specifically plants, into
work and home spaces in order to improve
these environments. The physical and
psychological benefits of plants have long
been known, especially for improving
air quality and avoiding sick building
syndrome. “Biophilia has become more
and more important in buildings over the
past 15 years and in some cases, they are
designed specifically to accommodate it,”
says Strang.

Plants were chosen for their different leaf
shapes, sizes, textures and varying shades
of green. Their arrangement on the wall
is informal and unstructured, creating
interest to the wall. The lightly-coloured
Vicinity modular green wall hardware diagram Peperomia, for example, has been placed
Technical details supplemented by metal halide lights, in the middle of the wall, creating a good
mounted on the floor above, providing focal point that the eye is immediately
The wall is four metres high by ten metres approximately 1000 lux. Plants with higher drawn to. The following plants were used:
wide and holds 1300 plants in total. The light requirements are therefore placed at
honeycomb structure of the new system the top of the wall. • Philodendron scandens, P. monstera, P.
allows for better planting design, larger scandens ‘Mica’
pots and hence fuller, more lush planting Design details and plants used • Peperomia caperata, P. ‘Juli’, P. obtusifolia
which greatly improves the aesthetic • Chlorophytum comosum
appearance and visual appeal of the wall. Strang says the upgraded wall was based • Dracaena compacta
on the concept of biophilia, namely the • Hoya carnosa
Strang explains that a plastic sheeting need for people to be connected to a • Asplenium antiquum
(splash sheet) at the back of the structure natural environment. Its literal meaning • Microsorum diversifolium
was installed as a precaution against (love of nature) focusses on bringing • Rhipsalis casutha
water seepage. Aluminum racks/rods are
attached to the sheeting and the plant
pots, made of injection-molded plastic,
clip easily onto the racks. “The honeycomb-
type arrangement of the pots allow for a
tighter nesting of the plants, and since the
pots are very close to each other, the plant
design can be staggered, making it more
visually appealing,” he states.
A pump inside the master water tank
moves water up through a pipe on the
side of the wall structure, along the top
and down on the other side. This looped
formation ensures that the water pressure
is equal all the way around the wall. An
irrigation dripper leads into each of the
pots at the top of the wall; water then
filters down from one pot to the next,
row by row, so that plants at the bottom
receive the same amount of water as those
at the top.Cladding around the edge of the
plant wall provides a good finish, creating
a type of picture frame for the plants, he
maintains. Pebbles at the foot of the wall
cover the drainage tray, and make for a
more natural and attractive appearance.
Lighting is a key contributor to the success
of the wall. Whilst the Green Star 4 certified
building has ample natural light entering
through rooftop skylights and penetrating
through an eight level atrium to the
ground floor lobby, there is insufficient
natural light on the ground floor to
sustain optimal growth. Natural light is
Overview of the wall in the reception area

Landscape SA • Issue 91 2019 13