What’s the Hype About Green Walls?

Green walls, otherwise known as living walls, are a biophilic element used in interior and exterior applications, i.e., commercial, industrial, educational, governmental, and residential settings.

Green walls, otherwise known as living walls, are a biophilic element used in interior and exterior applications, i.e., commercial, industrial, educational, governmental, and residential settings. 

The benefits include a reduction in noise and building insulation - and the most obvious; they are aesthetically pleasing. Studies have shown that people surrounded by plants are happier, healthier, more creative, productive, and relaxed. 

Biophilic design as a concept adds another layer to how we think about sustainability. 

Aside from green/living walls, the architectural design could include windows allowing natural light that overlook gardens, rivers, or other surrounding natural elements. 

As cities and urbanism grow, we have become increasingly disconnected from the natural world. The old adage of living in a ‘concrete jungle’ has become less inviting, particularly as the connection between green space and wellness has become a stark reminder of why sustainable living spaces are a restorative necessity. 

Green Wall Design Alternatives 

Want to Ease into the Green Wall / Biophilic Space?

As someone who guides the architectural design process, my role is to uncover ways to implement biophilic elements in the conceptual design phase of a project. 

This is not the case for everyone, and if you are looking for ways to incorporate a more immediate, harmonious solution to your home or office, there are a few easy ways you can do this:

1. Desks and common seating areas can be placed close to windows to allow the use of natural light. Anyone who has lived or worked in a place with harsh fluorescent lighting knows that natural light is a great way to enhance our mood and productivity. 

2. Add living plants. In the age of the internet, we can easily access information on how to adequately choose and care for plants in relation to our environment. Living plants act as air purifiers, adding a lush, warm feeling to any space. 

3. Water features or aquariums are an often overlooked addition to the workplace or home office space.

4. Add a birdfeeder outside your window. I have yet to meet someone who does not take a minute to be still and admire a bird enjoying a snack outside the window.

5. Landscaping matters. Gardens, greenery, trees, and intentional design all play a large part in deliberate green space. The windows of the home, school or office space should look out over natural space. 

Start Where You Are

The goal here is to implement practical well-being and sustainable strategies into your built environment to enhance the harmony between us and our planet. You can certainly reap the benefits of more green space in your interior and exterior environment by implementing some (or all) of these smaller-scale solutions until you are ready for a green wall of your own.

See for yourself what all the hype is about green(er) walls!