This living wall creates a new green landmark facing Blckfrairs Bridge
Area: 115m2
Location: London
System: BioPanel
Install Year: 2024
Client: McLaughlin & Harvey
Number of plants: 9,300
Plant species: 15
The redevelopment of New Bridge Street House has transformed a key gateway to the City of London.
The commercial building now features a Biotecture living wall covering the entire south façade, creating a striking new green landmark facing Blackfriars Bridge.
The architect’s vision was to create a ‘green ribbon’ connecting the pocket park below and the new roof terrace above.
Once complete, the façade will also feature a City of London plaque, proudly marking the entrance to the Square Mile.
This ambitious project exemplifies how architecture and nature can work in harmony, improving local air quality, supporting biodiversity, and contributing to London’s green infrastructure.
Our approach
We achieved the architect’s vision using our modular, hydroponic BioPanel living wall system, which was installed on the existing brickwork using Hilti helping hand brackets. This allowed space for a 150mm insulation layer behind the backing board, improving the building’s thermal performance.
Instead of soil, the plants are grown in Grodan, a stone-wool growing medium favoured by commercial greenhouse growers. Grodan is extremely water retentive and dimensionally stable, providing a stable base for the plants for decades to come. The modular BioPanels were pre-planted and matured in our West Sussex nursery for 8–12 weeks before installation, ensuring a lush, fully established appearance from day one.
The system also includes an automatic irrigation setup, monitored remotely by our team to ensure optimal plant health year-round.
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 become a new green landmark, visible along the length of Blackfriars Bridge.
The façade improves air quality, provides valuable food and habitat for urban wildlife such as bees, and supports the project’s energy efficiency goals. The system itself is designed to ensure the living wall lasts for decades, supported by regular maintenance.
As a defining feature of the City’s gateway, it demonstrates how innovative living wall systems can play a vital role in shaping a greener urban future
