Oulu’s Green Wall

Neighborhood.

The green wall was a response to the industrial landscape of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This former industrial neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn is where artists discovered the low rents and large light-filled lofts of former factories over ten years ago. Recently, real estate has been booming. Long-abandoned factories have been converted to expensive condominiums and apartments. Few trees exist in this neighborhood.

Green Wall Conception.

“The idea originated a few years ago after reading a story about a decaying fictional city overtaken by trees and vines. Imagine such a sublime way to restore our cities’ lost natural habitat and hydrological processes. As designers, it’s imperative that we find ways to work in harmony with nature, otherwise we will be left in the dust, so to speak. I envision an era when entire cities will be covered in green walls and roofs, instead of brick and stone. I thought that was too ambitious an idea until I learned about the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris. Viola! After some research to find an installer, the green wall at Oulu became a reality.” -Evangeline Dennie, Designer

Installer.

Green Living Technologies installed the green wall along with the help of volunteers. The succulents are planted in 35 or so panels of soil, each less than three inches thick, which are screwed to the wall. A hidden closed-loop irrigation system provides water for the plants. Oulu’s “living wall” comprises 225 square feet of potted succulents.

Global Warming Benefit.

The green wall helps combat global warming and filter air by absorbing and converting carbon dioxide to produce oxygen. Just 1.5 square meters of the grass-like vegetation produces enough oxygen in a year to supply one person’s yearly oxygen intake needs. When translating that info to this project, Oulu’s green wall will conceivably produce enough oxygen for 46 people a year.

Insulation benefit.

The green wall protects the existing facade, acting like a rain-screen. It also has insulating properties, which help regulate heating and cooling costs.

Read.

Roth, Joey. “Interview: Oulu’s Designer, Evangeline Dennie.” Design/Sustainable Design.Treehugger – A Discovery Company, 24 September. Web.