Construction Research - Installations & Green Walls in Hospitals

Where my project now revolves around the construction of a biophilic-design installation for a hospital, a lot of research is required in order to gain an understanding of the various different options and possibilities, and which of these would work best. This blog consists of continued research regarding different 'media' options from which the plants within the installation will grow from, as well as further information and statistics to support the reasons as to why this type of installation within a hospital would be of such huge benefit Basic information to consider regarding green walls...especially within a hospital. Green Living Walls... - A vertical built structure covered in vegetation and a growth media, such as soil.

- Can be interior or exterior of a building, free-standing or attached to an existing wall. Growth Media? (Material from which the plants will grow from) From the different media options detailed below, I need to analyse and refine which in particular will be the easiest and most practical, where considering installing the installation, how much space it may or may not take up and how much attention, if any it requires regularly. 1. Loose... - "Soil on a shelf" or "soil in a bag" systems which are then installed on a wall... - Need to be replaced every 2 years for interior design 2. Mat... - Coir fibre or felt mats - Wont support root systems of strong plants for more than 3-5 years

- Water inefficient due to the thin nature of this particular media

- Best for installations smaller than 8ft in height 3. Sheet...

-Water holding capacity exceeds that of mat

- Do not biodegrade and are active for 20+ years -'Sandwich construction system'...Waterproof membraine applied to the back, polyurethane sheeting (two sheets with irrigation lines in between) is laid and bars used to secure to a wall

- Pockets are cut into the face of the first sheer where plants are inserted 4. Structural... - Not loose nor mat but incorporate the best features of both - Can be made into various shapes and sizes Do not break down for 10-15 years and can have a higher or lower water capacity depending on the type of plant Beneficial functions of a green wall; - Often found in urban environments where the plants reduce the overall temperature of a building -Allow good use of vertical wall space - Circulating water on a vertical wall takes longer to evaporate than on a horizontal wall - Absorb large amounts of solar radiation - reduce energy demands and cleanses the air from VOC's (volatile organic compounds) released by paints, furniture and adhesives...Off-gassing from VOC's can cause; headaches, eye and airway irritation and internal air pollution... Significant benefits solely relevant to the placement of green walls within hospitals; Produces Oxygen - Greenwalls hold a minimum of 60-95 plants per square-metre, which is a lot to reap benefits from -Plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen...some even produce extra oxygen overnight Purifies Air - Filters out pollutants and toxins from the outside which can cause headaches, allergies, breathing problems, anxiety, tiredness, bad sleep, aggression etc. Increases Well-being - For the Staff & Employees - Producing oxygen helps staff feel more fresh and active... - Bad air quality or low oxygen can make you feel tired and sleepy, the productivity of an employee can reduce by up to 50% because of this Reduces Ambient Temperatures

- Plants maintain their temperatures at 32ºC - Plants absorb 50% of sunlight - Due to their cooling effect, plants reduce the indoors temperature which can reduce 30-35% of air conditioning costs Reduces Ambient Noise - Green walls work as a sound barrier and can reduce ambient noises by 40-45% more than normal facades would - The 3D effect of plants means that the absorb extra noises that can be heard from both inside and outside a building Reduces Stress

- Physical and mental stress is reduced

- Looking at plants for just a few minutes has been proven to reduce mental stress Increase Productivity

- Green and healthy working environments increase productivity by up to 15-20% Offers a Healing Environment - Encourages faster recovery for patients which results in a shorter hospital stay - A persons pain tolerance is higher