The double sided living wall on the road boundary of Winston Way Academy was designed specifically to capture road related pollution and improve air quality in the school grounds. It has the added benefit of creating an attractive entrance to the school.
Project Details
This double-sided, freestanding living wall at the Winston Way Academy primary school in Redbridge was installed between the playground and the busy road adjacent, next to the main entrance to the school.
Biotecture installed the freestanding steel frame structure, as well as the living wall, to replace part of the existing security fencing, separating these two areas. The Biotecture living wall system is flat faced, unlike many other living wall systems meaning that it does not pose a climb risk, making it ideal for this application. Additionally, the roadside wall incorporates the school’s sign.
In this location the living wall will intercept pollution, produced by traffic on the road, from reaching the playground. In addition to the air quality benefits of installing a living wall in this location it was important to increase Biodiversity in the area, both by increasing plant numbers and selecting plants that would attract pollinating insects in line with the local biodiversity action plan.
Highlights
- Double sided living wall to replace existing security fencing
- Introducing 6,900 new plants into the school grounds
- Freestanding steel frame structure
- Uniquely inspired planting design containing a variety of flowering species
- Incorporates the school sign on the road side of the living wall
- Quick installation time to maintain security
Our Approach
The planting design includes plants that have an enhanced ability to trap and absorb pollution. The plants were also chosen for their ecological value with some native and wildlife-friendly species to attract bees, butterflies and invertebrates to the wall. The colour palette is pink and mauve from violets, periwinkles and Bergenia, with the occasional yellow accents from Primroses, on a background of green. The living wall has a very specific design, with the plants creating the spiral shapes of galaxies, as described by Edwin Hubble. The design will give seasonal interest, not just with the inclusion of a variety of flowering plants, but also through the incorporation of aromatic honeysuckle and thyme. Forming part of the school playground it was also important that the plants selected were safe for children and adults to handle.
Biotecture have been maintaining the living wall at Winston Way Academy since it’s installation in 2014. The irrigation system is monitored remotely every day from our offices. There is also a bespoke maintenance plan in place for the project that specific plant care requirements and trimming instructions, site specific information and required irrigation maintenance throughout the year.
If you would like to learn about some of the other living walls we have installed at other schools and educational buildings you can visit our portfolio.
Key Benefits
