Living Wall for Shopping Centre Facade 'Plaza Mayor' in a very hot climate
Key Facts
Project:
Plaza Mayor, Malaga, Spain
Year Completed:
2019
Size of Living Wall:
285 ㎡ / 12,000 plants
Design & Installation:
By Scotscape
Plaza Mayor is committed to sustainability and the health and well-being of its visitors, introducing lush urban greenery into an existing large bare façade.
This installation is a great example of how the combination of materials can change over time. The living wall foliage will become larger as the plants mature, changing with the seasons. The corten steel will slowly age getting darker over time.
Design
The design of irregular ‘mosaics’ are made up of plant species of different textures and colours. This composition is combined with a ventilated façade of corten steel.
In addition to being incorporated into the compositional proposal of the façade, an exterior vertical garden incorporates elements of nature into the urban space. In this way, it is possible to restore the human connection to nature.
Irrigation
This installation uses a recirculating system. The excess water from each irrigation cycle’s is captured in the drip trays below the wall and directed back to a tank where it is filtered, treated and mixed with fresh water to be used on the next irrigation cycle.
Maintenance
Once a month a visual inspection of the living wall is carried out. Checking the system for correct function, clearing drip trays, cleaning filters, checking moisture levels, PH and conductivity. The living wall will have a more thorough visit quarterly or as required. Using access equipment to get up to the face of the living wall and prune the plants as necessary.