Living walls are often described as vertical gardens – and just like other green spaces, they can provide many environmental benefits.
In a nutshell:
- As well as looking good, living walls have a positive impact on health and wellbeing, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, and even increase property values
- Installing a green wall says a lot about a company’s commitment to the environment and their approach to corporate social responsibility
- To achieve the greatest benefits, architectural façade companies and living wall specialists, such as Maple and ANS Global, work together on projects
But in addition to improving urban biodiversity and air quality, green walls can also help architects and developers achieve social, economic, structural and regulatory targets.
It’s all important stuff but, at the most basic level, living walls need soil, water and feeding – no easy task on the side of a building. That’s why architectural façade companies and living wall specialists, such as Maple and ANS Global, work very closely together on all projects.
The social and economic benefits of living walls
With dense plant coverage possible, living walls can look great. That’s a good thing in itself. But there’s more than aesthetics when it comes to assessing the social and economic benefits. Living walls can also have a positive impact on health and wellbeing, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, and even increase property values.
Aesthetics
Green walls can blend in with the surrounding landscape or architecture – or make a stand-out design statement. Some companies even incorporate a brand logo. Furthermore, using modular, pre-planted panels can give instant impact from the day of installation.
Social impact
There’s evidence that green spaces have a positive effect on physical health and mental wellbeing - people working in environments with plants could be up to 12% more productive and less stressed[1]. Obviously, green walls are graffiti-proof – but studies also show less vandalism and crime in areas with access to nature[2].
Economic benefits
Well-tended green spaces can increase real estate values – by up to 20%[3]. That includes living walls, which can also increase footfall to urban area and maybe even retail spend[4]. And don’t forget... green walls improve energy-efficiency[5], making buildings more attractive to buy or rent.
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- Dr Roger Ulrich, Texas A&M University; Helen Russell, University of Surrey; Dr Virginia Lohr, Washington State University
- Biophilic Design, Mott MacDonald
- Green Over Grey, Living Walls and Design Inc
- Biophilic Design, ibid
- London Living Roofs and Walls Report, Dusty Gedge and Gary Grant, 2019