Vertical Garden by hxliu

SUBSTRATES for HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL HANGXING LIU

LAR 6212: ECO-TECH II E 1.3 | INTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU DATE:

[W] 04.04

OVERVIEW ON GREEN WALL TYPES

SOIL BASED HYDROPONIC SOIL BASED / HYDROPONIC

LAR 6212: ECO-TECH II E 1.3 | INTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU DATE:

[W] 04.04

HYDROPONIC GROWING SYSTEM

-ARTIFICAIL AIDED CIRCULATION SYSTEM -NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS -GROWING SUBSTRAESUBSTRATE TECHNIQUE -NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE (NFT)

-GROWING SUBSTRATE TECHNIQUE

THE ROOT ZONE IS PHYSICALLY SUPPORTED BY MEDIA

LAR 6212: ECO-TECH II E 1.3 | INTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

-NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE NFT

THE ROOT SYSTEM IS NOT SUPPORTED BY A GROWING MEDIA BUT IS BATHED DIRECTLY IN THE NUTRIENT SOLUTION

PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU DATE:

[W] 04.04

WHAT MAKES A

GREAT SUBSTRATE SUBSTRATEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FUNCTION: -LIGHT WEIGHT SUBSTITUTE FOR SOIL -SUPPORT FOR PLANTS TO GROW -ABSORB NUTRIENTS AND WATER FROM THE NUTRIENT SOLUTION

LAR 6212: ECO-TECH II E 1.3 | INTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL

LOW DENSITY LIGHT WEIGHT

HIGH POROSITY MOISTURE RETENSION NUTRIENTS RETENTION

DURABILITY CONSISTENT pH LEVEL LOW SALINITY LEVEL

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU DATE:

[W] 04.04

COMMON SUBSTRATE FOR HYDROPONIC GROWING SYSTEM

PUMICE

PERLITE

LAR 6212: ECO-TECH II E 1.3 | INTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

VOLCANIC ROCK

VERMICULITE

PEAT

EXPANDED CLAY

SAND

ROCK WOOL

PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL

COCONUT FIBER

GEL

RICE\COFFEE HUSK

AGRICULTURAL FOAM

SAWDUST

TEXTILE FELTS

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU DATE:

[W] 04.04

ENVIRONMENTAL IMAPCT AESSEMENT

TEXTILE FELTS

PERLITE

RICE\COFFEE HUSK

COCONUT FIBER

PEAT

SAND

SAWDUST

PUMICE

VOLCANIC ROCK

VERMICULITE

EXPANDED CLAY

ROCK WOOL

AGRICULTURAL FOAM

GEL

LOW

HIGH

HUAMN

LABOR/ ENVIRONMENTAL

ORGANIC SUBSTRATES

INORGANIC SUBSTRATES

SYNTHETIC SUBSTRATES

IMPACT

LABOR/ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

BY-PRODUCTS

MINING / EXCAVATION

MINING/EXCAVATION PETROCHEMICAL/ RE-PROCESSED

LAR 6212: ECO-TECH II E 1.3 | INTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU DATE:

[W] 04.04

WATER/NUTRIENTS RETENTION PERFORMANCE

PUMICE

RICE\COFFEE HUSK

PEAT

VOLCANIC ROCK

TEXTILE FELTS

VERMICULITE

SAWDUST

EXPANDED CLAY

PERLITE

COCONUT FIBER

AGRICULTURAL FOAM

ROCK WOOL

SAND

LOW

GEL

HIGH

RETENTION

RETETION

ABILITY

LAR 6212: ECO-TECH II E 1.3 | INTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU DATE:

[W] 04.04

OVERVIEW ON SUBSTREATES APPLICATION

SOIL

LOOSE PARTICLES

SOIL

NFT

SHEET STRUCTURAL( ESTABLISH THE STRUCTURE IT SELF) SOIL BASED HYDROPONIC SOIL BASED / HYDROPONIC

LAR 6212: ECO-TECH II E 1.3 | INTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU DATE:

[W] 04.04

CASE STUDY : BOTANICAL BRICKS,1938

BOTANICAL BRICKS, “THE FIRST KNOWN GREEN WALL” , VEGETATION BEARING ARCHITECTONIC STRUCTURE AND SYSTEM, PATENTED BY PROFESSOR STANLEY HART WHITE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA CHAMPAIGN IN 1938 DIGITAL AND PHYSICAL RECONSTRUCTION BY R.HINDLE

LAR 6212: ECO-TECH II E 1.3 | INTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU DATE:

[W] 04.04

WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY 1.GRACESON, ABIGAIL, MARTIN HARE, NIGEL HALL, AND JIM MONAGHAN, ‘USE OF INORGANIC SUBSTRATES AND COMPOSTED GREEN WASTE IN GROWING MEDIA FOR GREEN ROOFS’, BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING, 124 (2014), 1–7 <HTTPS://DOI. ORG/10.1016/J.BIOSYSTEMSENG.2014.05.007> 2.‘LANDSCAPING | URBANSCAPE’ <HTTP://WWW.GREEN-URBANSCAPE.COM/EN/SOLUTIONS/LANDSCAPING> [ACCESSED 4 APRIL 2018] 3.MANSO, MARIA, AND JOÃO CASTRO-GOMES, ‘GREEN WALL SYSTEMS: A REVIEW OF THEIR CHARACTERISTICS’, RENEWABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS, 41 (2015), 863–71 <HTTPS://DOI. ORG/10.1016/J.RSER.2014.07.203> 4.‘STONE WOOL AS A GROWING SUBSTRATE FOR HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS | GRODAN 101’ <HTTP://GRODAN101.COM/KNOWLE D G E - C E N T E R / R O C K W O O L- G R O W I N G - S U B S T R AT E - H Y D R O PONIC-SYSTEMS> [ACCESSED 4 APRIL 2018] 5.TOMAZIN, MAJA, ‘GREEN WALL: ANOTHER DIMENSION OF A GREEN ROOF?’ <HTTP://BLOG.GREEN-URBANSCAPE.COM/BLOG/ GREEN-WALL-ANOTHER-DIMENSION-OF-A-GREEN-ROOF> [ACCESSED 4 APRIL 2018] 6.‘PAISAJISMO URBANO EDITS THE GUIDE OF THE VERTICAL GARDEN’ <HTTP://WWW.PAISAJISMOURBANO.COM/DEFINITIVE-GUIDE-OF-THE-VERTICAL-GARDEN> [ACCESSED 4 APRIL 2018] 7. HINDLE, RICHARD L., ‘A VERTICAL GARDEN: ORIGINS OF THE VEGETATION-BEARING ARCHITECTONIC STRUCTURE AND SYSTEM (1938)’, STUDIES IN THE HISTORY OF GARDENS & DESIGNED LANDSCAPES, 32 (2012), 99–110 <HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.1080/14601176.2011.653535>

LAR 6212: ECO-TECH II E 1.3 | INTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU DATE:

[W] 04.04

Vertical Gardens Review and Comparison on Different Typologies From the Perspective of Growing Substrate HANGXING LIU University of Virginia School of Architecture Master of Landscape Architecture Candidate 2019

AB S T R AC T

“MAKING A VERTIC AL GARDEN IS NOT JUST PUT TING PL ANTS ON A WALL.” PL ANTS ARE LIVING BEINGS REQUIRES G ROWIN G M ED IA A S SUPP O R T FO R T H EIR RO OT SYS T EM A ND AL S O T H E S OURC E FO R T H E E S S EN T IAL NU T RIEN T S. THE MODERN RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGH ON HYDROPONIC TECHNOLOGY INITIALLY IN AGRICULTURE EXPANDED T H E R E A L M O F T H E S U B S T R AT E F R O M M E R E LY S O I L T O A VA R I E T Y O F O RG A N I C , I N O RG A N I C A N D S Y N T H E S I Z E D SUBSTR ATES. AND SOON, THESE SUBSTR ATES WERE BEING APPL IED IN VERT IC AL GARDEN S IN T HE VERY FIR S T VERT IC AL GARDEN EXPERIMENT. WHAT IS WORTHY OF NOTICING I S T HAT T H E PH YS I C AL FO RM AND PERFO RMAN C E O F T H E S U B S T R AT E S S U B S TA N T I A L LY S E T T H E L I M I TAT I O N S O F THE PL ANT SPEC IES SELEC TION AND THE STRUC TURE T YPE O F T H E V E R T I C A L G A R D E N. T H I S PA P E R W I L L E X A M I N E, R E V I E W A N D E VA L UAT E T H E M O S T C O M M O N T Y P E S O F S U B S T R AT E S , H O W D I F F E R E N T K I N D S O F S U B S T R AT E S ARE A PPL IED IN T H E FIEL D O F V ER T I C AL G ARDEN S, WHAT A R E T H E PRO S A N D C O N S O F T H E S E S V E R T I C A L G A R D E N T Y P O LO G IE S US IN G D I FFEREN T SUB S T R AT E S.

BRIEF DE S C RIP T I O N O F V ER T I C AL G ARD EN S

The concept of vertical gardens refers to all artificial systems which made greening a vertical surface possible with a selection of plant species1, including the irrigation, nutri1 Manso, Maria, and João Castro-Gomes. “Green Wall Systems: A Review of Their Characteristics.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 41 (January 1, 2015): 863–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.203.

LAR 6212 : ECO-TECH II . SPRING 2018

ent monitoring/ circulation system, growing substrate, and the structure attached to the interior or exterior wall of a building. The greenery on the vertical surface is a relatively modern idea emerged in the early 20th century and attracts constant attentions due to its ability to serve as “effective amelioration and innovative solutions to the increasingly harsh urban environment”2.

H I S TO RIC AL OVERVIE W O N M O DERN VER T IC AL G A RD EN S

The origin of the modern vertical garden originate from the study of the artificial soils, hydroponics, and waterculture experiments in the early 20th Century. William F. Gericke’s article on the journal Science “liberates plants from parent soil and allowing their roots to interact with new architecture and chemical nutriments”3 and setting the foundation for vertical gardens. Following the a gricul tur al exp eriment, W illiam M. Mac Pherson and Elmer Hovenden Gates’ patents on Veget ation b earing cellular s tr uc ture and s y s tems explored the application of the vertical gardens on existing structures. What is unique of their efforts is that their patens “separates the functions of the Botanical Bricks into units for plant inlay and structural system distinctly 2 C. Y. Jim, ‘Greenwall Classification and Critical DesignManagement Assessments’, Ecological Engineering, 77 (2015), 348–62 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j. ecoleng.2015.01.021>. 3 Richard L. Hindle, ‘A Vertical Garden: Origins of the Vegetation-Bearing Architectonic Structure and System (1938)’, Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes, 32.2 (2012), 99–110 01

COMMON SUBSTRATE FOR HYDROPONIC GROWING SYSTEM

PUMICE

VOLCANIC ROCK

PERLITE

PEAT

VERMICULITE

EXPANDED CLAY

SAND

ROCK WOOL

COCONUT FIBER

GEL

RICE\COFFEE HUSK

SAWDUST

TEXTILE FELTS

AGRICULTURAL FOAM

Figure 1: common substrates for vertical garden

2: ECO-TECH II

PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU

NTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

DATE:

[W] 04.04

OVERVIEW ON GREEN WALL TYPES

SOIL BASED HYDROPONIC SOIL BASED / HYDROPONIC

LAR 6212: ECO-TECH II

PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL

E 1.3 | INTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU DATE:

[W] 04.04

Figure 2: green wall / vertical garden classification

HANGXING LIU

“4 and provide a new way to attach plants to the buildings, which lays the foundation of today’s modular green wall systems. French botanist Patrick Blanc “modernized and popularizing the vertical garden type”5. He is the primary driver of the development of the green walls and his works are truly design break through. Since then, the plant pattern on the vertical garden are considered able to manipulated with design intension.

C L A S S IFIC AT I O N O F T H E V ER T I C AL G ARD EN S

a) loose media system Loose medium walls tend to be “soil-on-a-shelf” or “soilin-a-bag” type systems. Loose medium systems have their soil packed into a shelf or bag and are then installed onto the wall. b)mat media system Mat type systems tend to be either coir fiber or felt mats. Mat media are quite thin, even in multiple layers and it functions as the support base for plant roots and contains nutrients observe from the controlled circulation system. c)synthesized media

1. BY SUPP O R T S T RUC T URE 6

a) direct green facade Using plants as self-clinging climbers and it is rooted directly in the ground. b) indirect green facade Indirect greening systems include a vertical support structure for climbing plants development. Plants are rooted directly in the ground or in planters and are guided to develop along the support structure. This in direct system can be modular or continuous. c) continuous living wall Plants are inserted individually in the lightweight and permeable screens. d)modular living wall Elements with a specific dimension, include growing media and a complementary supporting structure fixed directly onto the vertical surface. 2. BY G ROWIN G M ED IUM/ SUB S T R AT E 7

Synthesized media are growth medium “blocks” that are not loose, nor mats, but which incorporate the best features of both into a block that can be manufactured into various sizes, shapes and thicknesses.

E VALUAT I O N O F CO M M O N T YPE S O F SUB S T R AT E

In gardening and agriculture, substrate can be defined as the support that crops need. In most cases, substrate plays a critical role in plant nutrition. Substrate is often a synonym for soil, but not always. Good substrate is recognizable through a series of characteristics. Having low density and high porosity, allowing the passage of air and water and being stable are some of the physical properties that should be present in substrate. A consistent pH, low salinity level and adequate proportion of nutrients will be the features that will characterize a good substrate as far as chemical aspects are concerned. In the case of the vertical garden which usually takes advantage of the hydroponic technology, as there is no soil, the water absorption capacity of the replacement material used is one of the most important factors

WHAT MAKES A 4 Hindle, ‘A Vertical Garden’. GREAT 5 GrowingUp.Pdf’ <http://www.vertigro.co.uk/wp-content/ SUBSTRATE uploads/GrowingUp.pdf> [accessed 4 February 2018]. 6 Manso, Maria, and João Castro-Gomes. “Green Wall SUBSTRATE’S FUNCTION: Systems: A Review of Their Characteristics.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 41 (January 1, 2015): 863–71. -LIGHT WEIGHT SUBSTITUTE FOR SOIL https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.203. -SUPPORT FOR PLANTS TO GROW 7 “Green Wall.” Wikipedia, March 27, 2018. https:// -ABSORB NUTRIENTS AND WATER FROM THE NUTRIENT SOLUTION en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_ wall&oldid=832688366.

LOW DENSITY LIGHT WEIGHT

HIGH POROSITY MOISTURE RETENSION NUTRIENTS RETENTION

DURABILITY CONSISTENT pH LEVEL LOW SALINITY LEVEL

Figure 3: what makes a great substrate - a great substrate’s properties LAR 6212 : ECO-TECH II . SPRING 2018

03 LAR 6212: ECO-TECH II E 1.3 | INTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU DATE:

[W] 04.04

ENVIRONMENTAL IMAPCT AESSEMENT

TEXTILE FELTS

PERLITE

RICE\COFFEE HUSK

COCONUT FIBER

PEAT

SAND

SAWDUST

PUMICE

VOLCANIC ROCK

VERMICULITE

EXPANDED CLAY

ROCK WOOL

AGRICULTURAL FOAM

GEL

LOW

HIGH

HUAMN

LABOR/

SYNTHETIC SUBSTRATES

INORGANIC SUBSTRATES

ORGANIC SUBSTRATES

ENVIRONMENTAL

LABOR/ ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACT

BY-PRODUCTS

MINING / EXCAVATION

MINING/EXCAVATION PETROCHEMICAL/ RE-PROCESSED

WATER/NUTRIENTS RETENTION PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL PERFORMANCE

LAR 6212: ECO-TECH II

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU

E 1.3 | INTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

DATE:

PUMICE

RICE\COFFEE HUSK

PEAT

VOLCANIC ROCK

TEXTILE FELTS

VERMICULITE

SAWDUST

EXPANDED CLAY

PERLITE

[W] 04.04

COCONUT FIBER

AGRICULTURAL FOAM

ROCK WOOL

SAND

LOW

GEL

HIGH

RETENTION

RETETION

ABILITY

Figure 4: Common substrate evaluation: up - from left to right, the larger environmental impact; down - from left to right, the higher water retention ability.

LAR 6212: ECO-TECH II

PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL

E 1.3 | INTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

in selecting the appropriate element. Moisture retention determines the possibility of plants to use water as a means of obtaining nutrients for productive processes. Another important factor is granularity, that is, grain size. This variable affects other qualities, such as density, moisture retention, porosity or durability. There is a great variety of materials that can be used as substrate, and they can be divided into three large groups: inorganic substrate, organic substrates and synthetic substrates.

HANGXING LIU

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU DATE:

[W] 04.04

The common organic substrates, such as rice &coffee husk , coconut fiber, and saw dust, are usually the by products of agriculture or industrial productions, which means these kinds of substrates involve no extra human labor insofar they yield the lowest environmental impact among all the common substrates. The inorganic substrate often time involve mining and excavation, which means substantial environmental impact. However among them all, the synthetic substrates, such as agricultural foam, rock wool and textile felts, involves with petrochemical industries and re-processed after first excavated or mined. For sure, their production results in the most substantial 04

environment impact. Unfortunately after comparing the all the common substrates’ water retention ability, apparently the synthetic substrates has the best performance which is a water retention capacity over 80%. This is the result that they are manufactured to be highly porous. The coconut fiber stands out among all the common substrates for its low environmental impact, low cost and high water retention ability.

S T UDY O N CO CO NU T FIBER’S A PPL I C AT I O N S IN V ER T I C AL G A RD EN

In the market, there are two types of the coconut fiber are sold, one is in loose status, and the other is in a compressed status which is called coconut coir brick. The latter one is usually used as agricultural soil mixture to increase the plot ’s nutrient level. Even though it is compressed into a brick shape, the intention is none structural, and it is only for the sales and transportation’s sake. Precedent using coconut fiber brick in vertical garden in a modular way has not been found. But there is potential that it could be structured to be suitable for vertical garden’s use as long as the fiber’s size and compression level is controlled to let the brick obtain the suitable porosity to serve as growing medium. Currently, the loose status of the coconut fiber is commonly used as a in fill growing substrate. There are case that the coconut fiber is filled in the wire cage to make a vertical garden.

Figure 5: Construction of a coconut fiber vertical garden - from top to the bottom: establish irrigation system and wire cage; fill the coconut fiber; insert the plants.

PROS A N D CO NVER T S O F D I FFEREN T SUB S T R AT E T YPE S O F VER T IC AL G A RD EN S

Disadvantages:

1. LO OS E M ED IA SYS T EM

a) Attached directly the building façade and require an additional water proofing layer

Advantages: a) Low cost and simple attachment structure; b) It could be modular systems; c)It requests simple growth medium-soil on a shelf or soil in a bag. LAR 6212 : ECO-TECH II . SPRING 2018

b) Growth medium is easily blown away by wind; c) Application is limited by height because of wind (usually lower than 8 ft) 2. MAT MEDIA SYSTEM Advantage:

a) The plant patterns on the mat could be designed; b) It could be simple attachment structure;

be developed. In all, after doing this research I see great potential in the substrate field.

c) The mat acts the root barrier to protect the building; Disadvantage: a) It is non-modular system thus hard to be maintained and repaired; b) It requires water and nutrients circulation system; c) It require annually maintenance and thus is subject to high cost.

3. STRUCTURAL MEDIA SYSTEM Advantages: a) Customized modular systems (shape, size, pH) b) Long durability of the medium; c) Easy maintenance and replacement; Disadvantage: a) Requires extra holding structure; b) High cost due to the attachment structure construction required.

CONCLUSION Structural media system has the advantage over other systems except its requirement for attachment structure, which made it expansive. If more and deeper work could be done in the substrate research, that one processed substrate could have the property of a great substrates as mentioned in the above while itself can serve as the structure to attach to the existing structure, it will be the new break through of the vertical garden system. Take the example of the coconut fiber, maybe it is not about using the material processed as the same. The growing media part could be as loose as it needs, when it comes to the structure part, we might use the same material gone through a higher level compressed system to ensure its load bearing ability. If such concept is viable, a new economic vertical garden type with high performance will HANGXING LIU

OVERVIEW ON SUBSTREATES APPLICATION

LOOSE PARTICLES

PROJECT NAME: SUBSTRATES FOR HYDROPONIC GREEN WALL

STRUCTURAL( ESTABLISH THE STRUCTURE IT SELF)

SHEET SOIL BASED HYDROPONIC SOIL BASED / HYDROPONIC

LAR 6212: ECO-TECH II E 1.3 | INTERIM RESEARCH REPORT

Figure 6: common substratesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; application in different types of green walls/vertical gardens

SOIL

NFT

SOIL

[W] 04.04

STUDENT NAME: HANGXING LIU DATE:

LAR 6212 : ECO-TECH II . SPRING 2018

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Manso, Maria, and João Castro-Gomes. “Green Wall Systems: A Review of Their Characteristics.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 41 (January 1, 2015): 863–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.203. 2. C. Y. Jim, ‘Greenwall Classification and Critical DesignManagement Assessments’, Ecological Engineering, 77 (2015), 348–62 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j. ecoleng.2015.01.021>. 3. Richard L. Hindle, ‘A Vertical Garden: Origins of the Vegetation-Bearing Architectonic Structure and System (1938)’, Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes, 32.2 (2012), 99–110 4. Hindle, ‘A Vertical Garden’. 5. GrowingUp.Pdf’ <http://www.vertigro.co.uk/wp-content/ uploads/GrowingUp.pdf> [accessed 4 February 2018]. 6. “Green Wall.” Wikipedia, March 27,2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index. php?title=Green_wall&oldid=832688366. 7. PAISAJISMO URBANO EDITS THE GUIDE OF THE VERTICALGARDEN’ <HTTP://WWW.PAISAJISMOURBANO. COM/DEFINITIVE-GUIDE-OF-THE-VERTICAL-GARDEN> [ACCESSED 4 APRIL 2018]

HANGXING LIU

Ex 1.1 - Research Proposal

Artificial Vertical Ecosystem: Assemblies & Applications of Vertical Garden Hangxing Liu LAR 6212 ECO-TECH II I 2018 SPRING

In this concrete jungle era, “a substantial amount of energy is consumed in buildings to modify indoor environmental conditions to attain the normal human comfort zone. More energy is required to operate HVAC to meet the expectations of building users. As cities get larger and more compact, the increasingly harsh urban climate calls for effective amelioration and innovative solutions”1 One of the way to counteract on this critical issue is the deployment of vegetative walls and vertical planting system on interior and/or exterior surfaces of buildings in hoping to enhance the overall thermal performance of the façade and/or indoor air quality.

Image: Vertical Garden on the front of the Caixa Forum, Madrid, Spain, Designed by Patrick Blanc in 2008 https://inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/08/Vertical-Living-wall-Madrid-lead.jpg

C. Y. Jim, ‘Greenwall Classification and Critical Design-Management Assessments’, Ecological Engineering, 77 (2015), 348–62 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.01.021>.

What captured my eyes during the initial data searching for my research proposal is the French botanist Patrick Blanc’s work. The different shades of green, combination of various textures and the contrasting wildness it adding up to the urban environment make it so fascinating. So, I decide to research on the mechanisms behind this incredible man-made landscape work. From the richness of the species and the durability of this master piece, I believe it is a carefully designed ecosystem taking both the biotic and abiotic matters into account.

On biotic matters, I will mainly focus on: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Perimeter of the plant species selection range; Biocenosis of the plants community introduced; 2 Interspecific symbiosis introduced to help to maintain the system;3 Growth medias; 4 Whether this system’s application is subjected to geographical location limitations;

On abiotic matters, I will generally research on: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Types of structure systems that hold the growing media The installation joints to the wall Automatic Irrigation and Water cycle system The average cost per sq. ft

Also, I will exam few design projects, possible list is as follow: 1. 2. 3. 4.

MFO Park, Zürich, Switzerland Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Miami, US The Oasis of Aboukir Green Wall One Central Park Residential tower, Sydney, Australia

Working Bibliography ‘1-S2.0-S0925857415000348-Main.Pdf’ <https://ac.els-cdn.com/S0925857415000348/1-s2.0-S0925857415000348-main.pdf?_tid=a219fbc8009f-11e8-b06e-00000aab0f6b&acdnat=1516754806_1f9fb076e7071788b67b765a819727f5> [accessed 24 January 2018] Alter, Lloyd, ‘Growing Up’, Azure, 24 (2008), 72–77 Corrado, Maurizio, ‘Green High Tech’, Domus, 2010, 50–56

‘Vertical Ecosystem’, Wikipedia, 2017 <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vertical_ecosystem&oldid=780882047> [accessed 24 January 2018]. 3 ‘Vertical Ecosystem’. 4 ‘Green Wall’, Wikipedia, 2018 <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_wall&oldid=819199482> [accessed 24 January 2018].

‘EBSCO Record’ <http://proxy01.its.virginia.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bvh&AN=687515&site=ehostlive&scope=site&scope=cite> [accessed 19 January 2018] Gandy, Matthew, ‘The Ecological Facades of Patrick Blanc’, Architectural Design, 80 (2010), 28–33 ‘Green Wall’, Wikipedia, 2018 <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_wall&oldid=819199482> [accessed 24 January 2018] ‘Green Wall Irrigation Services | Watering Green Walls’ <http://www.access-irrigation.co.uk/design-services/green-irrigation/green-wallirrigation> [accessed 24 January 2018] Hannema, Kirsten, Morten Scholz, Kirsten Hannema, Dominik van Mierlo, Veronique Boone, Emiel Lamers, and others, ‘Flourishing Facades’, A10: New European Architecture, 2008, 51–56 ‘Ignacio Solano’, Wikipedia, 2017 <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ignacio_Solano&oldid=795363278> [accessed 22 January 2018] ‘Jardin Suspendurue Du Faubourg Saint Honoré : Cathy Vivies’ <http://cathy-vivies.com/realisations/rue-daguesseau-jardin-suspendu/> [accessed 24 January 2018] Jim, C. Y., ‘Greenwall Classification and Critical Design-Management Assessments’, Ecological Engineering, 77 (2015), 348–62 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.01.021> Lambertini, Anna, ‘Artificial Wilderness: Patrick Blanc’s Vertical Gardens’, A & U: Architecture & Urbanism, 2009, 48–53 ‘Patrick Blanc News and Projects’, Dezeen <http://www.dezeen.com/tag/patrick-blanc/> [accessed 24 January 2018] ‘Patrick Blanc: Vertical Gardens’, Lotus International, 2008, 80–81 ‘Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)’, Arquitectonica Geo <http://arquitectonicageo.com/project/perez-art-museum-miami-pamm/> [accessed 24 January 2018] ‘Projects: G R O S S . M A X .’ <http://www.grossmax.com/projects.asp?n=Installations&y=14&x=6&offset=0> [accessed 24 January 2018] Schubert, Hannah, ‘Vertical Nature’, A10: New European Architecture, 2010, 60–62 ‘Snapshot’ <https://www.dezeen.com/2013/09/09/patrick-blanc-creates-worlds-tallest-vertical-garden-for-jean-nouvels-sydney-tower/> [accessed 24 January 2018] Sorvig, Kim, ‘The Vertical Garden: From Nature to the City, by Patrick Blanc [and] Vertical Gardens, by Anna Lambertini’, Landscape Architecture, 98 (2008), 124–25 Valesan, Mariene, Beatriz Fedrizzi, and Miguel Aloysio Sattler, ‘Vantagens e Desvantagens Da Utilização de Peles-Verdes Em Edificações Residenciais Em Porto Alegre Segundo Seus Moradores’, Ambiente Construído, 10 (2010), 55–67 <https://doi.org/10.1590/S167886212010000300004> ‘Vertical Ecosystem’, Wikipedia, 2017 <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vertical_ecosystem&oldid=780882047> [accessed 24 January 2018] ‘Welcome to Vertical Garden Patrick Blanc | Vertical Garden Patrick Blanc’ <https://www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com/> [accessed 24 January 2018] Wilson, Chris, ‘Green Insulation: High-Tech and Sustainable Wall, Ceiling and Floor Products for Minimizing Noise and Boosting Energy Efficiency’, Azure, 28 (2012), 121–22 ‘World’s Tallest Vertical Garden by Patrick Blanc and Jean Nouvel’, Dezeen, 2013 <https://www.dezeen.com/2013/09/09/patrick-blanc-createsworlds-tallest-vertical-garden-for-jean-nouvels-sydney-tower/> [accessed 24 January 2018]

Ex 1.2 - Research Project Outline

Artificial Vertical Ecosystem: Assemblies & Applications of Vertical Garden Hangxing Liu LAR 6212 ECO-TECH II I 2018 SPRING

What is Artificial Vertical Ecosystem

“Making a vertical garden is not just putting plants on a wall.” 1 Plants are living beings requires symbiotic relationship with a micro flora and a micro fauna to be healthy. Artificial Vertical Ecosystem is a patented vertical gardening system based on biology interactions and developed by Spanish biologist Ignacio Solano. It is also a highly autonomous system that monitors the water chemistry and status of the plants to coordinate the supply of the water and micronutrients. Up to now, the applications of the system is spread over the world in 15 countries, and thanks to its biology considerations in plant species selection criteria, the carried-out project shows a high level of durability.

Vertical Garden Historical Overview

1. Artificial Soils and Hydroponics, water-culture experiments，William F. Gericke, the journal Science，1922 Critique: “liberating plants from parent soil and allowing their roots to interact with new architecture and chemical nutriments”2 and setting the foundation for vertical gardens.

2. Botanical Bricks, “The first known green wall”3, Vegetation Bearing Architectonic Structure and System, patented by Professor Stanley Hart White at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in 1938, US Patent 2,113,523, granted on 5th April,1938.

‘Vertical Gardens - SPEND IN’ <http://www.spend-in.com/articulos/arquitectura/jardines-verticales.aspx> [accessed 4 February 2018]. 2 Richard L. Hindle, ‘A Vertical Garden: Origins of the Vegetation-Bearing Architectonic Structure and System (1938)’, Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes, 32.2 (2012), 99–110 <https://doi.org/10.1080/14601176.2011.653535>. 3 Richard L. Hindle, ‘A Vertical Garden: Origins of the Vegetation-Bearing Architectonic Structure and System (1938)’, Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes, 32.2 (2012), 99–110 <https://doi.org/10.1080/14601176.2011.653535>.

Critique: intergrated system of plants and structures. The individual botanical bricks serve as plant unit and also the load bearer. 3. The Vegetation-Bearing Cellular Structure and System, further development on Botanical Bricks, William M. MacPherson, US Patent 2,121,173, granted on 21st June, 1938. Critique: “Separating the functions of the Botanical Bricks into units for plant inlay and structural system distinctly”4, made it possible to adapt to existing structures. 4. The Vegetation-Bearing Display Surface and System, further development on Botanical Bricks, Elmer Hovenden Gates, US Patent 2,279,735, granted on 14th April, 1942 Critique: except from building an excessive structure, Gates provide a new attachment way of applying the botanical bricks. 5. “Modernizing and popularizing the vertical garden type”5 ，French botanist Patrick Blanc，primary driver of the development of the green walls，1988（Patrick Blanc’s first green wall installation, the Museum of Science and Industry in Paris） Critique: A design break through. The plant pattern on the vertical garden since then are considered able to manipulated with design intension.

Vertical Ecosystem, “vertical gardens resemble the natural ecosystems in their composition and in the way that they function”6, Spanish biologist Ignacio Solano Cabello, 2011 Critique: Taking biology relationships into consideration makes the traditional vertical garden now an artificial vertical ecosystem which is sustainable.

Analysis of the Vertical Garden Systems

1. Traditional Vertical Garden Systems

Hindle, ‘A Vertical Garden’. ‘GrowingUp.Pdf’ <http://www.vertigro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/GrowingUp.pdf> [accessed 4 February 2018]. 6 ‘Ignacio Solano’, Wikipedia, 2017 <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ignacio_Solano&oldid=795363278> [accessed 22 January 2018]. 5

2. Traditionally Vertical garden or Green walls are often “constructed of modular panels that hold a growing medium and can be categorized according to the type of growth media used: loose media, mat media, and structural media.”7 Loose media system Advantages： (1) Low cost and simple attachment structure; (2) Could be modular systems; (3) simple growth medium-soil on a shelf or soil in a bag. Disadvantages： (1) Attached directly the building façade and require an additional water proofing layer (2) Growth medium is easily blown away by wind; (3) Application is limited by height because of wind (usually lower than 8 ft) Mat media system Advantage： (1) The plant pattern on the mat could be designed; (2) Could be simple attachment structure; (3) The mat acts the root barrier to protect the building; Disadvantage： (1) Nonmodular system thus hard to be maintained and repaired; (2) Require water re-circulation system; (3) Require annually maintenance and High cost. Structural media system: Advantage： (1) Customizable modular systems (shape, size, pH) (2) Long durability of the medium; (3) Easy maintenance and replacement; Disadvantage： (1) Requires extra holding structure; (2) High cost.

2.Artificial Vertical Ecosystem 7

‘Green Wall’, Wikipedia, 2018 <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_wall&oldid=819199482> [accessed 24 January 2018].

Product Provider: Paisajismo Urbano, Spain, founded by Ignacio Solano Product：F+P System System type: Mat Media System/Vegetated Mat

2.1 Biotic Matters (waiting for book wrote by Solano to arrive) 2.1.1

Perimeter of the plant species selection range;

2.1.2 2.1.3

Biocenosis of the plants community introduced; 8 Interspecific symbiosis introduced to help to maintain the system;9

2.2 Abiotic matters 2.2.1 Assemblies of the F+P systems 2.2.2 Cost for the F+P system Documentation 1.US Patent 2,113,523 Drawing Sheet. Inventor Stanley Hart White.

‘Vertical Ecosystem’, Wikipedia, 2017 <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vertical_ecosystem&oldid=780882047> [accessed 24 January 2018]. 9 ‘Vertical Ecosystem’.

3. US Patent 2,121,173 Drawing Sheets. Inventor William M. Macpherson.

4. US Patent 2,279,735 Drawing Sheet. Inventor Elmer Hovenden Gates.

5. Richard L. Hindle, Evan Blondell, and Wesley Chiang, Garden Type/Archetype: Speculative renderings for an enclosed garden space utilizing US Patent 2,113,523.

5. F+P system detail

Conclusion Though the artificial vertical ecosystem resembles the biology relationship in nature, it still relies on supplement of the water and nutrients to maintain the systems. A highly monitored and controlled irrigation cycle system is needed. However, it fails to combine with the existing buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drainage system or the air ventilation system, which otherwise will take advantage of the rain collected and the eco-service function that vertical ecosystem could provide. Moreover, Nonmodular vegetated mat makes its maintenance and replacement of either the plants or the mat itself hard and at a high cost.

Appendix Alter, Lloyd, ‘Growing Up’, Azure, 24 (2008), 72–77 Corrado, Maurizio, ‘Green High Tech’, Domus, 2010, 50–56 Gandy, Matthew, ‘The Ecological Facades of Patrick Blanc’, Architectural Design, 80 (2010), 28–33 ‘Graham Foundation > Grantees > Richard Hindle’ <http://www.grahamfoundation.org/grantees/4834reconstructing-the-vegetation-bearing-architectonic-structure-and-system-1938> [accessed 4 February 2018] ‘Green Wall’, Wikipedia, 2018 <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_wall&oldid=819199482> [accessed 24 January 2018] ‘Green Wall Irrigation Services | Watering Green Walls’ <http://www.access-irrigation.co.uk/designservices/green-irrigation/green-wall-irrigation> [accessed 24 January 2018] ‘GrowingUp.Pdf’ <http://www.vertigro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/GrowingUp.pdf> [accessed 4 February 2018] Hannema, Kirsten, Morten Scholz, Kirsten Hannema, Dominik van Mierlo, Veronique Boone, Emiel Lamers, and others, ‘Flourishing Facades’, A10: New European Architecture, 2008, 51–56 Hindle, Richard L., ‘A Vertical Garden: Origins of the Vegetation-Bearing Architectonic Structure and System (1938)’, Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes, 32 (2012), 99–110 <https://doi.org/10.1080/14601176.2011.653535> ‘Ignacio Solano’, Wikipedia, 2017 <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ignacio_Solano&oldid=795363278> [accessed 22 January 2018] ‘Jardin Suspendurue Du Faubourg Saint Honoré : Cathy Vivies’ <http://cathy-vivies.com/realisations/ruedaguesseau-jardin-suspendu/> [accessed 24 January 2018] Jim, C. Y., ‘Greenwall Classification and Critical Design-Management Assessments’, Ecological Engineering, 77 (2015), 348–62 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.01.021> Lambertini, Anna, ‘Artificial Wilderness: Patrick Blanc’s Vertical Gardens’, A & U: Architecture & Urbanism, 2009, 48–53 ‘MemoriapliegoFP.Pdf’ <http://www.paisajismourbano.com/uploads/documentos/MemoriapliegoFP.pdf> [accessed 4 February 2018] ——— <http://www.paisajismourbano.com/uploads/documentos/MemoriapliegoFP.pdf> [accessed 6 February 2018]

‘Patrick Blanc’, Wikipedia, 2017 <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Patrick_Blanc&oldid=782925249> [accessed 4 February 2018] ‘Patrick Blanc News and Projects’, Dezeen <http://www.dezeen.com/tag/patrick-blanc/> [accessed 24 January 2018] ‘Patrick Blanc: Vertical Gardens’, Lotus International, 2008, 80–81 ‘Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)’, Arquitectonica Geo <http://arquitectonicageo.com/project/perezart-museum-miami-pamm/> [accessed 24 January 2018] ‘Projects: G R O S S . M A X .’ <http://www.grossmax.com/projects.asp?n=Installations&y=14&x=6&offset=0> [accessed 24 January 2018] Schubert, Hannah, ‘Vertical Nature’, A10: New European Architecture, 2010, 60–62 ‘SISTEMA PARA EL AJARDINADO DE FACHADAS. : Patentados.com’ <https://patentados.com/patente/sistema-para-el-ajardinado-de-fachadas/> [accessed 4 February 2018] Sorvig, Kim, ‘The Vertical Garden: From Nature to the City, by Patrick Blanc [and] Vertical Gardens, by Anna Lambertini’, Landscape Architecture, 98 (2008), 124–25 Valesan, Mariene, Beatriz Fedrizzi, and Miguel Aloysio Sattler, ‘Vantagens e Desvantagens Da Utilização de Peles-Verdes Em Edificações Residenciais Em Porto Alegre Segundo Seus Moradores’, Ambiente Construído, 10 (2010), 55–67 <https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-86212010000300004> ‘Vertical Ecosystem’, Wikipedia, 2017 <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vertical_ecosystem&oldid=780882047> [accessed 24 January 2018] ‘Vertical Gardens - SPEND IN’ <http://www.spend-in.com/articulos/arquitectura/jardinesverticales.aspx> [accessed 4 February 2018] ‘Welcome to Vertical Garden Patrick Blanc | Vertical Garden Patrick Blanc’ <https://www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com/> [accessed 24 January 2018] Wilson, Chris, ‘Green Insulation: High-Tech and Sustainable Wall, Ceiling and Floor Products for Minimizing Noise and Boosting Energy Efficiency’, Azure, 28 (2012), 121–22 ‘World’s Tallest Vertical Garden by Patrick Blanc and Jean Nouvel’, Dezeen, 2013 <https://www.dezeen.com/2013/09/09/patrick-blanc-creates-worlds-tallest-vertical-garden-for-jeannouvels-sydney-tower/> [accessed 24 January 2018]