Seven self contained living walls turned Gate 25, Terminal 3 into the 'garden gate'
Area: 30m2
Location: London
System: BioPanel
Install Year: 2016
Client: Heathrow Airport
Number of plants: 1,680
Plant species: 12
Heathrow Airport continually strives to enhance the passenger experience. However, a customer satisfaction survey revealed that Gate 25 in Terminal 3 was ranked among the lowest in the airport for ‘look and feel’.
The space felt tired and uninspiring, falling short of Heathrow’s ambition to provide welcoming, comfortable environments for travelers.
The customer journey team saw an opportunity to reimagine the gate lounge as a calm, nature-inspired waiting area. Their concept, “The Garden Gate”, aimed to bring the feel of an English garden into the heart of Britain’s busiest airport.
The challenge was to deliver a biophilic installation that would work within a busy, artificially lit terminal, while also being self-contained, low-maintenance, and quick to install without disrupting operations.
Our approach
Biotecture designed a series of freestanding living wall panels to meet Heathrow’s vision for The Garden Gate.
Seven units, each measuring 1.8m high by 2.4m wide, were constructed using our BioPanel system. Each panel incorporates a water reservoir and water circulating pump.
A low-energy LED lighting system supports healthy plant growth while maintaining energy efficiency. We selected plants known for their air-purifying qualities and visual impact, including English Ivy and Peace Lily, both of which were referenced in NASA’s research into improving indoor air quality.
The modular design allowed for swift installation during off-peak hours, avoiding disruption to airport operations.
The results
Following the installation of The Garden Gate, Heathrow conducted further customer satisfaction surveys at Gate 25, The impact was immediate: the number of passengers who felt positive or very positive about the ‘look and feel’ of the space rose from 47% to 72%.
The living wall also gained positive media attention, highlighting Heathrow’s investment in sustainable, passenger-focused improvements.
