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Biowalls Explored in More Detail
Biowall
A 24-square meter plant wall – more specifically a “biowall” – was built in the Robertson Building. The biowall was planted with a variety of exotic and native indoor flowering plants. Each plant has its own pocket in a special planting material (they don’t tell you the exact fabric they use). Water filters through the material to the plants’ roots and fresh air is continually pumped into the room via the living biowall.
The biowall purifies and cleans the air. The plants were chosen for their ability to tolerate indoor lighting conditions and their ability to improve indoor air quality. Some of the common contaminants come from traffic outdoors as well as off-gassing from furniture, paints, drywall, photocopiers, and human fragrances in the building.
The biowall helps filter Volatile Organic Compounds or VOC’s. VOC’s are actually a group of pollutants indoors and out. While small concentrations of these chemicals aren’t dangerous, over time they can contribute to “sick building syndrome,” which can include eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and dizziness.
The biowall only needs typical plant maintenance including occasional dusting and removal of wilting foliage. Two 1000 watt lights provide supplemental lighting.
Living Biowall
A separate biowall was installed in the IL Centre. It’s 3 stories high and is aesthetically pleasing as well as acting as a biofilter which removes the VOCs and CO2 from the air.
Plants are easily swapped if they don’t thrive. The plants that work on the wall will vary depending on its requirements. Leafy ferns do better than Hibiscus, and orchids have done very well. Here’s a rundown of the plants used in the biowall:
- Aglaonema (Algaomema commutatum) & Spathiphyllum spp. (mixed aroids)
- Spider plant (Chlorophytum)
- Croton (Codiaeum)
- Cordyline
- Dragon Plant (Dracaena)
- Ficus (verigated)
- Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica)
- Ivy (Hedera)
- Palms (Dypsis, Howea, or Chamaedorea spp.)
- Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)
- Philodendron (several species)
- Snake plant (Sansevieria)
- Purple Heart (Setcreasea pallida, similar to the common Tradescantia)
- Umbrella Plant (Schlefera)
Diagram of basic biowall setup
Two layers of a porous material make up the fabric attached to the concrete wall. It’s 1 inch thick and is made of loosely woven plastic screwed to the wall in pieces. The top layer has slits cut into it where the plants are placed. The roots hold the plants in place and grow between the layers. The plants chosen don’t spread pollen and the constantly running water and fresh air prevent mold. A vapour barrier was installed in front of the concrete and behind the drywall to prevent moisture from spreading. What makes this vertical garden into a biowall are the fans that draw the air from each of the three floors to circulate through the building. You can see an informative flash image at queensu.
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about 5 months ago
Some very beautiful designs. What is also interesting is that different kinds of plants filter different kinds of toxins from the air. For example Boston Ferns remove formaldehyde found in fiberboard furniture among other places. I’ve been meaning to write a post on the subject but haven’t gotten to it – I’ll have to link back to this site to give some people inspiration.
Natural Health Goodies´s last blog ..My Green Smoothie Inspiration and a Green Smoothie Recipe to Boot
about 5 months ago
This is great – functional, beautiful, and provides clear benefits for the indoor environment. Let’s hope these take off and become a regular element of interior design.