This living green wall enhances wellbeing and helps create an inspiring environment at EQ Bristol.
Area: 110m2
Location: Bristol
System: BioPanel
Install Year: 2023
Client: BAM Construction
Number of plants: 6600
Plant species: 17
In 2022, Biotecture was appointed by repeat client BAM Construction to design and deliver a 110m2 internal living wall at EQ Bristol, a nine-storey commercial development near Temple Meads Station. The project aimed to set new standards in sustainability and wellbeing, with targets of BREEAM Outstanding, EPC A, Platinum Wired Score, and WELL readiness.
A striking feature of the building is its central atrium, which draws in natural light. Biotecture’s living wall rises through this space, bringing greenery into view from every floor.
Installed using Biotecture’s modular BioPanel system, the wall includes non-combustible Grodan growing medium and a carefully engineered irrigation network.
Our approach
The living wall is constructed using Biotecture’s modular, hydroponic living wall system BioPanel. BioPanel is a fully compliant living cladding system and is designed to thrive for decades to come. Its growing medium Grodan is dimensionally stable, chemically inert and noncombustible.
The wall includes a complex of irrigation pipes fed from a plant room at the bottom of the Atrium.
The plant selection for the project includes 17 plant species covering a range of colours, textures and sizes to create visual interest. The planting design is based on a map of the river Avon running through Bristol to give the building an added sense of identity.
Plants were pre-grown into BioPanels at our nursery and allowed to fully mature before being installed onsite.
An integrated irrigation system, remotely monitored by our team, ensures the plants receive the right water and nutrients. Regular maintenance visits keep the wall thriving and looking its best 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 110m² living wall has become a central feature of the EQ Bristol atrium. It offers a daily connection to nature for building users and reinforces the building’s strong sustainability credentials.
The project won a BALI National Landscape Award for Interior Landscape Installation, recognising its design quality and execution.
