Scotscape has designed, supplied, installed and is maintaining a variety of living wall systems at Sheffield University for research and development purposes.
Working in partnership with the University of Sheffield, this unique 12 month programme will assess the relative performance of each living wall type – including hydroponic, compost, stainless steel wire and ivy systems. Control panels have already been installed and are now being monitored to assess each product’s performance over a range of environmental conditions.
The benefits of living walls in terms of providing habitats for essential invertebrate life, birds and bees is also being assessed across Scotscape’s living wall portfolio, by the proactive charity Buglife (www.buglife.org.uk). Quarterly analytical assessments are being undertaken to monitor the rich variety of ‘birds, bugs and bees’ which gravitate to areas of biodiversity in urban areas.
In line with our commitment to sustainability and biodiversity, Scotscape is also maintaining the living wall at Edgware Road station. Transport for London commissioned this green wall to counter air pollution on the corner of Edgware and Marylebone Roads. Funded by the government’s Clean Air Fund, the wall is being monitored by Imperial College to assess the chosen plants for their ability to remove particulate matter from the air.
Commenting on the programme, Scotscape’s Managing Director, Angus Cunningham told The Landscaper , “Sheffield University has an enviable reputation for the quality of its research into sustainable building materials and we’re absolutely delighted to be sponsoring and working with the research team on this particular programme, which will enable future clients to select the system most appropriate for their budget and sustainable infrastructure goals. This is the most comprehensive piece of research ever undertaken into the thermal benefits of living walls and we’re looking forward to seeing the results in the autumn of 2013’’.
www.scotscapelivingwalls.net
Don’t miss Green Roofs and Living Walls in the next issue of The Landscaper