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Concerned about fire standards and living walls? We've got you covered.
Our GuideOne natural living wall system creating long-term assets inside and out
Design of living walls can be tailored to bring significant biodiverse value with specific plant species, including native and pollinator planting. Natural substrate is the foundation from which we design for biodiversity.
Solve regulatory challenges and planning conditions by designing the living wall to hit environmental targets. Living walls also help to achieve building standards such as BREEAM and WELL.
Science proves that people are drawn to spaces with natural features. On several retail projects, it was noted that footfall increased as a direct result of our living wall work. Not only giving return on investment, this makes a building financially attractive.
Soil is able to capture particulate matter and gives us greater design flexibility in our living walls, allowing us to select species that hold air purification properties.
People working in an environment with plants were 12% more productive and less stressed than those who worked in a space without natural features. Workspace design has direct effects on employee performance and well-being.
Check upcoming sessions for our CPD on The Importance of Green Infrastructure and How to Design for Longevity.
Using a natural substrate means we have greater flexibility in plant selection, meaning we can create habitats for bees, burrowing insects and encourage natural colonisation. We specifically select living wall plants that fulfil the project objectives.
We’ve achieved the highest possible fire rating for a living wall, which means our living wall system can be integrated into nearly all buildings. Take a look at our guide in the Reports section which makes the regulations around fire and greenery a lot clearer.
Soil is an eco-system in itself: catering for burrowing insects, absorbing and filtering particulate matter, allowing greater design flexibility, biodiversity and improved air quality. Our organic soil substrate also includes green waste, and we do not use any harmful chemicals to keep our living walls healthy.
Our modular living wall system gives us huge scope for creative design and ensures dense coverage with 96 plants per m2. Designed to allow root migration, this means the plants can grow healthily with a longer lifespan.
Realise buildings that actively improve urban biodiversity and air quality, and solve environmental regulatory challenges such as Biodiversity Net Gain and Urban Greening Factor. Where space is at a premium a living wall is the perfect solution to provide ecological benefits and create a long-term environmental asset.
Bring the outside into your interior designs and create biophilic internal landscapes that improve the health, well-being and productivity of the people. Not only do they enhance the feel of spaces as living pieces of art, living walls also restore our innate human connection to nature.
We found ANS a safe pair of hands for a very high profile project where the green walls were a very significant component and failure wasn't an option.
Featured living wall case study
Modernizing their Swiss headquarters, the refurbishment of the WHO campus in Geneva involved over 100m² of living walls.
Featured case study
Creating a contemporary public plaza and commercial amenities, Woking Borough Council are working to transform this quarter of Woking town centre’s business district.
Featured case study
National Grid’s commitment to sustainability meant that they wanted something extraordinary for their new car park; now finished, it has literally come alive!
Featured case study
This scheme is London's first sustainable smart street.
Site survey with value analysis
Concepts and indicative plant palettes
Planting and establishment at the nursery
Pre-grown modules installed with drainage and irrigation
Fortnightly or monthly, with a full horticultural husbandry visit annually
As we commence our 3rd living wall with ANS the sensible design approach and pattern of working is becoming clear and the value added by their expertise and advice in the detailed decisions relating to species selection and each installation is vital. ANS have helped us maximise the effectiveness of what we are trying to do and in doing so have created beautiful outcomes.
As you can imagine, maintenance costs vary depending on the plant design, location, access, and other factors. However, typically the cost of maintaining a living wall is approximately 10% per year of the original cost of the living wall. If you’d like to get a more accurate figure, please get in touch and we’d be happy to advise!
The requirements are different on every project so please enquire with your local planning officer.
With correct maintenance, a living wall will last forever. Our maintenance contract includes plant replacement where necessary (for example, a changing climate would necessitate some plant replacements over time), monthly visits and servicing of the irrigation system. We have many projects first installed over 10 years ago that are still in full health today. Take a look at our case studies for more!
A living wall designed correctly, with a majority of shade-loving species and designed to the specific aspect and location will indeed work on a north-facing façade. We can design and create living walls for any aspect: north, south, east, or west. We also have indicative plant palettes for each of the aspects – let us know if you’re interested and we can share!
Drainage is needed to cater for the minimal run-off at the bottom of the wall. As standard practice we install a 107mm x 51mm black plastic gutter. However there is no limit to your creativity in specifying different drainage channels. The living walls at XL Catlin and University of Leicester are good examples.