Large green wall façade designed to to enhance biodiversity and create connect 'green corridors'.
Area: 1,800m2
Location: Leeds
System: BioPanel
Install Year: 2016
Client: Veolia
Number of plants: 110,000
700 integrated shrub boxes
40 integrated habitat boxes
The Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility, built in 2016 was designed to reduce waste and increase recycling in Leeds.
Leeds City Council wanted to soften the appearance of the building and harmonise its southern facade with the surrounding landscape.
The original architectural vision by S’PACE featured a towering, plant-filled structure, combining ground cover, shrubs, and small trees.
Biodiversity was a core objective, with the council keen to support the Leeds Biodiversity Action Plan. Biotecture were brought in at an early stage to help turn this ambitious concept into a practical, sustainable reality, creating what would become Europe’s tallest and largest living wall at 28 metres high and 1,800m² in total area.
Our approach
Biotecture joined the project team four years ahead of installation. We worked closely with Veolia, S’PACE Architects and the main contractor, Clugston to integrate the living wall into the building.
The living wall was created using Biotecture’s BioPanel living cladding system which was attached to an independent structural frame.
The project required 6,500 modular BioPanel’s which were planted up and allowed to mature in our nursery in phases before being installed onsite.
The living wall includes 700 integrated shrub boxes to allow for larger plant growth and 40 habitat boxes to provide shelter for insects.
The project includes a fully integrated remotely monitored irrigation system. This includes a single plantroom with 36 irrigation valves.
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 completed 1,800m² living wall was the largest in Europe at the time of installation. It includes110,000 plants helping to create a green landmark for Yorkshire.
The living wall’s varied structure, including small trees and shrubs, delivers seasonal interest and ecological value.
The project won a Leeds Architecture Award in 2016.
