BioPanel is a patented, modular hydroponic living wall system designed for longevity, resilience, and sustainability. Unlike soil-based systems, BioPanel uses a lightweight growing medium that won’t degrade, ensuring reliable plant health and reduced maintenance over time. It is also CWCT (Centre for Window and Cladding Technology) tested and fire-tested, making it suitable for large-scale cladding projects.

Costs vary depending on the size, location, design, and access requirements. As a guide, a fully installed BioPanel living wall typically starts at around £600–£900 per square metre. We can provide detailed quotations once project requirements are known.

Lead times are project-specific but usually range from 8 to 16 weeks from design sign off. Project should be planned around or growing period, March and November.

Biotecture supply BioPanel (known as BioTile outside the UK) to approved international partners in Europe, the USA and the UAE. Please get in touch for details.

No, we only supply BioPanel through our own installation teams in the UK or through approved international partners to ensure quality and performance.

Living walls provide multiple benefits, find out more on our benefits page.

Yes. BioPanel can be used internally as well as externally, with plant palettes selected specifically for the conditions of each project.

Yes. Living walls can score credits under BREEAM for enhancing ecology and mitigating pollution. They can also contribute to Biodiversity Net Gain by providing habitat and food sources for pollinators and other species.

Living walls capture some carbon, but this can be hard to quantify. The amount of carbon sequestered depends on plant choice and wall size.

Living walls do not have a defined U-value. However, they have been proven to improve the thermal performance of a building keeping building’s warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

The BioPanel system includes BioPanels fixed back to a cement particle backing board through a void former. In most cases BioPanel requires a secondary support structure at 600mm centres. We recommend the Omega top hat system, Hilti Helping Hand System or bespoke steel frame.

BioPanel can be installed in two phases to suit the construction timetable. The first fix includes the installation of the cement particle backing board, geotextile drainage layer, aluminium carrier rails and irrigation rig. The second fix brings in the fully planted BioPanels.

Installation is handled by trained Biotecture teams or approved partners.

Yes, many of our projects are retrofits. A structural survey will be required to confirm suitability and if an additional support structure is required.

Yes. A BioPanel living wall typically weighs 75kg per m² when fully saturated. The supporting structure must be capable of supporting this load.

Yes. BioPanel is modular and panels can be cut down to work around architectural features such as windows and doors. We recommend talking to us at concept stage to ensure the best panel layout.

Planting schemes are tailored to the project’s location, climate, orientation, and aesthetic. For most projects we choose from a tried and tested plant palatte which includes a range of hardy evergreen and flowering plant species, as well as internal options.

No. BioPanel is designed for vertical or near-vertical applications only.

Yes. Corner panels create seamless corners and the panels can be faceted to create sweeping curves

Instead of soil, BioPanel uses a lightweight hydroponic growing medium called Grodan. Grodan is a stone wool made from basalt rock. It is highly water-retentive, capable of holding water for up to two weeks, which helps to buffer plants against short-term irrigation interruptions. Unlike soil, Grodan is dimensionally stable and will not degrade over time. It is also chemically inert, meaning it won’t lock in nutrients, ensuring that plants receive a consistent supply of water and fertiliser throughout their life cycle. Find out more

Yes, if installed on a suitable supporting structure. The structure must be windproof, for example cement particle board on a structural steel frame.

Yes. All BioPanel living walls include a fully automated irrigation and nutrient delivery system, monitored remotely by the Biotecture team as part of a full maintenance package.

Yes. The irrigation system can be designed to use harvested rainwater or treated greywater if the site infrastructure allows.

Water use varies depending on the wall’s size, location, plant selection, and orientation. On average we would expect a living wall to use between 1-2 litres per metre per day. As the growing medium is water retentive we expect a water run of rate of approximately 10%.

The irrigation system usually requires a small cabinet or plant room, typically 2-3m³ of space depending on project size.

Planning permission may be required for living walls on new or existing buildings. We recommend checking with the local planning authority.

Possibly, subject to listed building consent. This will depend on the local authority and heritage considerations.

The supporting structure must be suitable and the location must be accessible for installation and ongoing maintenance. Shady or exposed sites are possible, but planting will be tailored accordingly.

Yes. BioPanel has been tested to CWCT standards for cladding performance including impact resistance and wind resistance. View report

The Reaction to Fire Performance of our living wall system is confirmed by a world renowned independent consultancy to be B-s3, d2. As a matter of right this classification acknowledges compliance with the simpler BS 476 classification for spread of flame for which the system is confirmed to achieve class 0.

Regular maintenance is essential for plant health. This includes pruning, feeding, replanting where necessary, and checking the irrigation system. Visits are typically carried out 2-4 times a year, though frequency depends on the project. We offer a 95% coverage guarantee as part of our maintenance package.

Yes. Biotecture offers comprehensive maintenance packages including remote irrigation monitoring, inspection visits and horticultural visits.

We have examples of BioPanel living walls thriving 15+ years after their installation. With proper maintenance, a BioPanel living wall should last indefinitely. The system itself is durable, and plants are replaced as part of routine maintenance.

The irrigation system is remotely monitored as part of our on-going maintenance package so faults are detected quickly. If an issue occurs, our team responds promptly to prevent plant stress.