Recently rediscovered, the green wall is currently prized by architects, designers and decoration enthusiasts for the enormous potential it offers in terms of cladding interior or exterior surfaces. At Designmag, we have talked a lot about the ways to use such a wall. We even shared with you our selection of the best DIY vertical garden ideas. !
The interior or exterior green wall, a concept exploding in the modern urban environment
Today, we return to the subject of the green wall, interior or exterior on the occasion of a recent invention: the green wall decorating the facades of buildings with a view to the creation of vertical forests !
The most impressive model of such a vertical garden comes from China, but several other similar projects exist in Europe in particular. They inspired us to rediscover the beauty of the green wall and its uses, both outside and inside.
Green wall transformed into vertical forest in China by Stefano Boeri
The Chinese city of Nanjing is still called the “capital of the south” of the country. It is here, in Jiangsu province, that the first project of a green wall covering the whole of two buildings will be launched. The very ambitious goal of this project is for the surface of the two towers in question to gradually become a vertical forest. This will house 2,500 bushes and shrubs and 1,000 trees..
Given the levels of air pollution in China’s industrialized cities, the purpose of the project is, of course, far from being purely aesthetic. The plants installed on the facades of the two towers will have to produce 60 kilos of air per day. One way to combat the harmful effects of industrialization on human health.
The author of the project is the Italian architect Stefano Boeri. The planned date for completion of construction is late 2018.
Two green wall projects on building facades in Europe
If the Chinese project impresses with its large scale, it is not the only one to have proposed the introduction of green plants that will gradually transform into vertical forests. Two other similar ideas are being considered on the European continent.
The first should be carried out in the city of Lausanne in Switzerland. It has a green wall made on all floors of a building in light tones.
The second will be built in the city of Milan, Italy. The vertical forest also consists of trees planted on each floor, next to terraces and balconies which themselves provide an additional surface for the garden..
These three remarkable projects illustrate just a few aspects of how the green wall concept has adapted very successfully to the urban environment..
Interior green walls
Interior green walls have long been appreciated by owners of houses or apartments that do not have gardens or terraces. Currently, they are also used in the interior design of offices and business premises. Very popular, they inspire decorators and designers to find ever more interesting forms to present plants in the form of vertical gardens. Below, we share with you some images of this kind of projects.
Green wall by Rocco Design Architects in Hong Kong
A green wall decorates the premises of a hotel in Hong Kong. The design of the wall is by Rocco Design Architects. The green plants are arranged in such a way as to contrast with the decoration materials of minimalist design.
Green wall by Rojkind Arquitectos + ESRAWE Studio in Mexico City
This green wall is part of the decor of a restaurant with a natural ambiance, the Tori Tori, in the capital of Mexico. The color of the plants is chosen to harmonize best with the wall facings and the nuances of modern furniture.
Indoor vertical garden in Athens
Here is another indoor vertical garden project that plays on the impression produced by the contrasts between green plants and raw materials. To create a more harmonious atmosphere, the decorators have chosen to use chairs with wooden legs that echo the natural decor of the wall behind.
Interior green wall in the Euronet office in Warsaw
More and more offices have interiors decorated with a green wall. Green plants are supposed to make the atmosphere more relaxed and pleasant. This is the solution adopted by Euronet for its offices in the Polish capital.
Vertical garden in the premises of the company GTB in Shanghai
The premises of GTB, an advertising agency, also have an impressive vertical garden. Its idea is to function as a room divider. So, on one side of the wall, we find the classic office part. On the other side, we see a relaxation area with chairs and a bar.
Interior green walls in Chertsey
British marketing firm Cheil has also chosen to adopt the concept of green walls for the decoration of its premises in Chertsey. As in the example above, the green structures also act as room dividers. Turned towards the relaxation area, they promote a modern and relaxing atmosphere.
Green wall small space in Monterrey
One of the advantages of green walls is that they don’t require a lot of space. The proof, with the project carried out in Monterrey on the image above.
Green wall in Amsterdam by HEYLIGERS Design + Projects
Green wall projects are so popular that you can find very interesting designs all over the world. This modern example is provided to us by the interior of the Nuon company in Amsterdam.
Green wall idea in flowerpot by Joost Bakker
Those who dream of an interior green wall will be delighted to learn that they can make such a decoration on their own. The proof is brought to us by this project signed Joost Bakker. It consists of a vertical storage adorned with flower pots. Filled with green indoor plants, these pots are the building blocks of an original green wall.
One of the strengths of this idea is that you are free to select the size, shape and layout of your improvised wall as you wish. For example, it is possible to divide the storage unit into two parts or to use it in one.
To add to this, you can consider decorating your wall with other objects or filling it with flower pots only. It all depends on everyone’s desires and wishes !
Nature wall with indoor plants by Apostrophy’s Design Studio Bangkok
The natural and relaxing ambience of green walls is ideal not only for furnishing offices and cafes but also for the home. We discover a very nice example signed Apostrophy’s Design studio with these images.
Proof that green walls can be the basis of a true vertical tropical garden !
Here are some inspiring examples for the creation of a vertical garden in the form of a green wall. You can explore even more images from similar projects in the gallery at the end of this article.
Exterior green walls
Exterior green walls take on a wide variety of shapes and appearances. In addition to having a decorative function, they also have advantages for the environment, especially in large cities. Here are some interesting achievements of exterior green wall projects.
World house in Thailand with green wall
Green walls have been used for decades in the decoration of house facades. They are also adopted in modern architecture, as evidenced by this design villa project.
A high school in Singapore with green wall
Decorating the exterior in densely populated cities, green walls promote the overall feel of neighborhoods and reduce air pollution. In Singapore, the visual and applied arts high school chose this kind of green wall for the decoration of its facade.
Thai factory with exterior green wall
Regarding the realization of an exterior green wall, you should know that the choice of plants is to be determined according to the climate of the region. So, this Thai factory decided to decorate the walls of its premises with tropical plants..
Exterior green walls by Michael Hellgren
Sometimes the choice to build an exterior green wall is not dictated so much by the lack of space as by the desire to create a more impressive space. So, many modern decorators like to combine a green vertical garden with simple, minimalist colors and materials. The result is very interesting, as this project by Michael Hellgren shows..
The size of outdoor vertical gardens can vary depending on the space. Thus, some prefer a surface covered with greenery lengthwise. Others opt for a vertical wall garden type space. For this reason, green walls are a good solution for any type of open exterior. It can be used to decorate a terrace or to embellish a breeze view that separates a property from that of its neighbors !
Below are a few more examples of vertical gardens in the form of walls that you can take inspiration from.