This green wall helps reduce air pollution and creates a secure, welcoming entrance for pupils, teachers and parents
Area: 75m2
Location: Ilford, Essex
System: BioPanel
Install Year: 2014
Number of plants: 4,500
Plant species: 11
Maintained by Biotecture
This primary school in Essex sits beside a busy road and needed a way to reduce air pollution entering the playground while improving the look of its entrance. The solution also had to be secure, child-safe and low-maintenance.
Biotecture suggested a double sided living green wall facing both the playground and the street.
Our approach
Biotecture replaced part of the school’s fencing with a double-sided, steel-framed BioPanel living wall.
The plant design was inspired by the spiral forms of galaxies and featured around 4,500 plants across 11 species chosen to capture pollutants and support pollinators.
An automatic irrigation system with remote monitoring and a tailored maintenance plan ensures the wall continues to perform well with minimal disruption to school life.
Design
Including panel layout, plant design and irrigation design
Horticulture
living walls grown in the nursery for 8-12 plants until fully mature
Installation
Installation of backing board, geotextile drainage layer, irrigation pipework and planted panels
Maintenance
Remote monitoring of the irrigation system, regular visual inspections and horticultural maintenance visits
The results
The living wall has transformed the school entrance, improving air quality, enhancing biodiversity, and creating a vibrant, welcoming space.
The spiral-inspired planting design offers year-round interest and supports pollinators.
Installed in 2014, the wall continues to thrive more than a decade later. Biotecture has maintained it since installation with a seasonal schedule and remote monitoring of the irrigation system to ensure it continues to perform well with minimal disruption to school life.
