16 February 2010
Capita Symonds will be showcasing a unique ‘living
building’ as part of the 'CityScape' central attraction
at Ecobuild 2010 - the world’s biggest event for
sustainable design, construction and the built
environment taking place at Earl’s Court from 2-4 March
2010.
Designed by Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner Patrick
Collins and Capita Symonds’ landplanning division - Capita Lovejoy
- the 10x10x8 metre ‘green cube’ structure has been designed to
highlight the importance of green infrastructure in the built
environment. It features a variety of sustainable technologies
ranging from the traditional method of climbing plants growing over
a series of wires or trellis systems, to the very latest in ‘living
wall’ technology.
We’ve created something unexpected and memorable at the centre of the show
Part of ‘Cityscape’ - the event’s public realm
space, the building is set within a dynamic and engaging landscape
and features over 50 species of plants including indigenous and
ornamental evergreen perennials, grasses and ferns. It also
demonstrates the use of living walls in conjunction with
architectural products, particularly UK grown and FSC (Forest
Stewardship Council) certified timber cladding.
It is the first time a ‘living structure’ of this scale has been
attempted at the show and the first time that the various ‘living
wall’ technologies have been combined in a single project. The
walls are currently being grown and assembled off-site before being
erected during a three day build at the venue.
During the course of the conference the structure’s interior
space will host a variety of events and displays including a series
of videos and presentation materials from Natural England from
which visitors can learn about other aspects of green
infrastructure.
The building features the following
technologies:
Mobilane’s LivePanel and
WallPlanter
LivePanel, which is being unveiled for the first time, will
present the market with the most flexible system for decorating
exterior or interior walls with a wide range of plants. The system
consists of individual sections which are fixed to the wall or
building using a lightweight aluminium frame. These sections can be
cut to virtually any shape or size, making them extremely flexible
and suited to a wide range of applications.
A broad range of plants can be selected with the client’s
requirements and local environmental conditions in mind. LivePanel
is easy to fit around doors and windows and can be extended to roof
areas. LivePanel also allows near unlimited aesthetic and creative
possibilities, both in shape and in plant types and colour.
WallPlanter is Mobilane’s long established living wall system.
The system consists of aluminium planters into which fully mature
plants are grown. WallPlanter delivers an extremely robust living
wall solution and is featured on Europe’s finest example of a
living wall - the harbour front in Monaco.
Biotecture’s
BioWall
This unique hydroponic modular living wall system uses a
hydroponic growing system which delivers water to the plants via a
computer controlled, remotely managed system. This ensures that the
precise amount of water and nutrients are delivered while any
excess water is removed.
The plants selected are a range of hardy evergreen perennials,
grasses and ground-covering shrubs which are ideally suited to
living walls. A unique biological control programme is also worked
out for each wall to minimise the problems of pest and disease,
with susceptible varieties of plants being eliminated from
use.
Plants are chosen to enhance the biodiversity of a site
including a wide range of flowering varieties to encourage insects
and birds. Nest boxes can also be built into the walls to encourage
small birds such as wrens and sparrows, and even bats.
Scotscape ANSystem Living
Wall
This soil and compost (peat free) based living wall is made up
of modules measuring 500mm tall by 250mm wide by 100mm deep each
holding 14 individual plants. The modules are planted at
Aldingbourne Nurseries up to two months before their delivery date
so they arrive as a fully mature, ready to install wall.
The wall is irrigated using a zoned irrigation system delivering
water and nutrients to the capillary fleece at the rear of each
module thus enabling a wide variety of planting schemes. Each wall
is designed to suit the client or site requirements and we offer a
full maintenance package to ensure each wall fulfills its
potential.
MMA/Jakob Stainless Steel
Wires
This highly innovative system draws on a balance of stainless
steel ropes, rods and mesh systems to create lightweight, durable
and flexible green wall solutions. With each component manufactured
from High Grade 316 Stainless Steel, the system delivers long-term
performance with a minimum of maintenance, and is suitable for even
the harshest environments, including coastal applications.
Patrick Collins says: “We wanted to highlight
the importance of sustainable green infrastructure in the built
environment and promote the use and understanding of some of the
latest environmental and living wall technologies. We’ve created
something unexpected and memorable at the centre of the show, a
place where people could experience something completely different
away from the crowds. It is intended to be an iconic and thought
provoking display, a celebration of sustainability, and a centre
for debate.”
'Green Room'
events
Capita Symonds will also be running a series of debates and
events in the green cube structure during the course of the
Ecobuild conference. Speakers include Joe Duckworth, CEO of Newham
Council; Tony Douglas (ex CEO of Heathrow for BAA);
Chris Brown, Igloo Regeneration; and Richard Woods, one of the UK’s
leading experts on sustainable school design: