Clients considering a living wall often ask about ongoing maintenance and we are able to re-assure them that we don’t just install we also keep living walls thriving for years to come with proactive maintenance and remote irrigation monitoring.
In this blog post, we’ll explain what goes into keeping a living wall looking great starting with good design choices.
System selection
When thinking about longevity it’s important to start with the right system. Biotecture’s BioPanel is a fully comprehensive and stands out for its rigorous testing and demonstrated compliance with regulatory requirements. It includes Grodan as a growing medium which is dimensionally stable, so doesn’t degrade over time, and it is also chemically inert, so nutrients don’t build up in the system. It has a pore volume of 97% making it extremely water retentive and predictable allowing us to balance moisture levels perfectly. Grodan also has an EU Ecolabel, includes at least 30% recycled content and is fully recyclable.
M&S Sevenoaks, installed 2014, photo 2023
Plant Selection
By choosing appropriate plant species we can ensure green walls will look great for years to come. Our design team pick species from our tried and tested plant database, chosen to complement the local climatic conditions, aesthetic, and environmental aspirations. To ensure the wall looks great all year round, we choose evergreen plant species which seasonal flowering plants for added colour and attract pollinators.
New Street Square, installed in 2011
Irrigation
Well-designed irrigation is essential for maintaining healthy living walls long-term. The BioPanel™ system includes an automatic irrigation system which we monitor remotely daily as part of our maintenance packages. Pipe lines run through the living wall and each 600mmx450mm panel includes 4 irrigation drippers to ensure even water distribution. Living walls are zoned to allow different areas to receive different levels of hydration. For example the top of a south facing wall will likely require more water than the bottom due to wind and sun exposure.
Living walls which use our stackable modular system can have a simpler irrigation setup, from a simple hoselock connection with a tap timer to a fully automatic irrigation system.
20 Fenchurch Street, installed in 2014, Picture 2023
Inspection and horticultural visits
As part of our maintenance regime, we conduct regular visual inspections. These visits help us assess the condition of the living wall, adjust upcoming maintenance visits if required, and ensure optimal moisture levels.
We carry out horticultural maintenance visits 3-4 times a year on average. We prune, tidy, replace plants, service irrigation systems, add bio-controls, and perform various other tasks to ensure our living wall remains healthy and looking good. Our scheduling team will ensure we get the right teams and the right equipment on site when needed.
Elephant and Castle living wall, installed in 2016, photo 2023
Performance Guarantee
For BioPanel living walls we offer a 95% coverage performance guarantee to give piece of mind. This means at our maintenance schedule will be determined by what the wall needs rather than on a fixed number of visits.
Living Wall at Centrica Windsor, installed 2015, photo 2023
Case Study: McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford
In 2019, Biotecture installed over 2,000m2 of living wall cladding at the McArthurGlen Ashford Designer Outlet extension in Kent. Since then, we’ve been working closely with the client to maintain the project. The living walls include over 120,000 plants and 30+ varieties. Our maintenance package includes daily remote monitoring of the irrigation system, regular inspection visits, and three maintenance periods a year each 4-6 weeks long. We work closely with the client to minimise disruption to site this has meant the vast majority of our visits are carried out overnight.
In 2022 we worked with the client to design a signage trail aimed at adults and children alike highlighting some of the benefits of the living walls as well as
plants to look out for.
McArthurGlen Ashford Designer Outlet, installed in 2019, photo 2024
Biotecture provides a full design, installation and maintenance service. If you would like to discuss a living wall project please get in touch
