Here's a completely novel and stunningly beautiful take on interior/exterior landscaping/decorating... The vertical Garden
French Scientist, Patrick Blanc has developed a successful company around the idea of transforming interior and exterior walls into green space. He utilizes an impressive array of plant species, from climbing tropical vines, to cold-loving northern mosses.
For more information go to: http://www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com/
Insurance companies regularly report that water damage comprises their number one claim group. So one has to be careful when using water in and around a building.
Concerning the 300-400 year old building with vines growing, if you were to remove the vines, you would, indeed, find a lot of damage. Some landscapers at the Ivy League schools think that the vines are the only thing holding the buildings together. Of course, I also think they made things better 300-400 years ago than we do today. Today it's about making as much as possible in as little time as possible as inexpensively as possible. Or we put work out for competitive bidding and take the lowest bid. Huh? We're going to build a bridge that is supposed to survive a 10.0 earthquake and we take the lowest bid? Hmmmmmmm. Leaves one room to pause, but that's the way the system works. I like to pretend that I'm an Olympic Judge when I get bids, throwing out the high bid and the low bid and taking the middle one.
The vertical garden has taken moisture damage into account. In fact, he even discusses moisture damage in the detailed presentation. As with anything that grows, the mess and maintenance will be individualized to the plant and one's meticulousness in taking care of it.
Hi Russel,
Thanks for the thoughtful comment. You are definitely right in that water damage is a serious problem for buildings. And you are also right in your comment that the vertical garden website discusses the issue of water damage in the detailed presentation. His system appears to provide adequate protection against water damage - and like I said, would probably end up providing protection against the elements. That said, I'm no expert in the matter, and I would not recommend any installation of these vertical gardens without consulting with the right professionals prior to the installation.
The difference between the old buildings with vines and this new design style, is that with vertical gardens the plants and their roots (and the water) do not actually touch the wall. They are removed by a metal frame with PVC backing and a felt mat to hold the roots and the nutrient-rich water.
I read through his list of buildings using the Vertical Wall. Most of them are in France and England, but there is one in Los Angeles. I'll have to make a point to eat there the next time I go to L.A.
I also sent him an email asking for additional information. I'm wondering if he sells the materials so that I could do a small wall in my home, or if one is limited to large projects.
This is fascinating information. I'm glad you all addressed the water issues. Thanks so much for sharing it with us!
Russel,
You have got to let me know what you think about the LA wall, and/or if you get one in your home..! That would be awesome! Please send a photo..!?
Hey, Alex.
He had one listed in North Carolina, too. Might not be that far from you in Tallahassee.
Thanks Russel!
I'm going to have to go back and check out the locations... maybe I'll get to see that one sometime. I head up and down between NY and Florida fairly often.
Wow, cool pics! I would love that in my home. I could imagine it having a very natural clean smell in the home with all of the greenery. Houston is starting to get the concept of green living. Hope it stays around for awhile.
That is really cool. When I clicked on this post I was expecting someting about vertical container gardening, which is also really cool, but not quite the same! Anyone try to grow veggies on a wall like this? LOL.
I just found this and I love it. I think that as long as the plants are not actually growing on the wall itself there should not be any damage. A home inspector told one of my buyers who loved the ivy growing up the front wall of the house she was buying that so far it had not done any damage and that if she really wanted to keep it she should pull it all off the walls and put up a trellis in front of the wall and make sure that it only grew on the trellis so the roots stay off the wall.
I would imagine that the principle is much like that of a vegetated roof.
Alex, this is so beautiful!!! I imagine the inside air quality is better too. Thanks for sharing.
Alex~
Now you have me thinking about creative GREEN for 2009...Maybe we should make "creative GREEN for 2009" the Eco-All-Stars January Challenge, eh?
Happy New Year =)
That vertical garden is beautiful! It reminds me of some of the vegetation I saw on a trip to Antigua, Guatemala! It was nice to see green, since I am sitting here in Akron, Ohio watching it snow, snow, and snow some more!
Alex:
One word AWESOME. How cool would it be if every building followed Patrick Blanc's lead?
Reminds me of Wrigley Field in Chicago ! I think vertical gardens is a cool way to get extra green space where horizontal space is non-existent ! Keepin' it Green !
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