When used in a resilient way, the addition of a living wall or roof to a new or existing building can bring with it numerous positives, not least biodiversity habitat and a beautiful addition to the building. When done badly with inappropriate species of plants or poorly irrigated it can bring the concept a bad name and may even die!

Having been involved with green roofs for almost 2 decades, our Managing Director designed and developed various solutions including the highly successful (and still looking wonderful) peppa pig building at Paultons Park in Hampshire. To ensure a resilient solution the team researched all manner of plants and species and found a turf supplier in Overton, Hampshire who are now known as” Wildflower Turf Ltd”. As a result a 32 species mix of local grass and wildflower species were combined with the turf growers proven backing / binding solution. This indigenous “of the place” solution with integrated irrigation in the 100mm make up of various soils and growing media has worked very well. The team at Paultons Park with their full-time gardeners are well placed to maintain the roof, which extends to 10,000 sq ft.

There were various suppliers and self-appointed specialists who claimed that sedum (would be ideal along with other solutions) but having already used such an approach and found out that this only works if the plant species is comfortable in that climate. And in 2 cases we ended up with one plant which was red in colour and was virulent which killed off everything else and to the client this appeared “Dead”!

A similar adopt local and resilient approach applies to living walls, with ivy and similar climbing species being ideal if planted well and semi mature, your wall will be green and happy. There are numerous water intensive systems available and no doubt some will give you the desired effect, but this comes at high cost and can also lead to the need of regular maintenance. Our view is to keep it simple, use species and solutions that are comfortable in the environment, and which are easy to maintain with minimum water use.

Applying these now proven solutions can add a fantastic visual and wellbeing feature to your building. In the case of many the changing varieties of wildflowers each month are a visual joy which everyone remarks upon and the twice a year strimming can further enhance.

You may also encounter the issue of depth of soil / make up to provide a sustainable solution. Many support the idea of half meter thick ground to support a living roof, the weight and cost of which can be crippling. We go for 100mmm of growing media, carefully constructed on a substantial waterproof membrane and integrate irrigation pipe within this make up. We even use solar powered pumps for the rainwater harvested (and precious) water to keep the roof or wall happy. On walls, just have substantive planters, ideally on / in the ground so the roots can merrily develop and let the climbers do the rest, with a little coaxing, training, and direction.

So, if you are considering a living wall or roof, please think local in all cases of species, treatment and also aim at minimum maintenance and water use, and you will have a solution that is happy and resilient.

If we can help you with your project please make contact with ep architects.

Please do not be afraid to ask questions and discuss, whether you agree or disagree!

ep architects   

info@eparchitects.design