Our multidisciplinary design team of horticulturists, landscape architects,engineers, and builders collaborates with the project’s consultants to work through site-specific challenges.
We prepare a detailed set of drawings, integrating our living wall system into the site’s architectural plans, specifying points of connection and stating MEP requirements.
We also make sure to explicitly coordinate the scope of any work being carried out by Habitat Horticulture and any other subcontractors required to support the living wall system.
We prepare a detailed set of drawings, integrating our living wall system into the site’s architectural plans, specifying points of connection and stating MEP requirements.
We also make sure to explicitly coordinate the scope of any work being carried out by Habitat Horticulture and any other subcontractors required to support the living wall system.
The most celebrated feature of any living wall is the plants. Our approach to plant selection thoroughly examines the micro-climates, potential growth rates, and lighting conditions to ensure the right species is specified for the right spot on the wall. Foliage color, leaf texture, flowering times, and seasonal interest are all taken into consideration to create living compositions that highlight the unique qualities of each species while forming a visually impressive whole. To better acquaint the client with each species, we provide images, physical samples, and a plant palette page with a description of each plant.
Each and every living wall is thoughtfully designed to provide a unique multi-sensory experience and a sense of place that harmonizes with the architecture and natural surroundings. Habitat Horticulture’s design team works closely with our clients to create a composition that captures the inspiration of their initial vision. Once realized, various concepts and artistic renderings are presented to the client for review. From there, a planting elevation and plant schedule are submitted for approval and plant procurement begins.
Habitat Horticulture is a one-stop living wall shop.
Our team performs all work aside from plumbing and electrical—we waterproof the existing wall, build the framework, install the living wall system and the irrigation/recirculation systems and of course, we place the plants.
How, where and when the plants are installed in a living wall will notably affect its health and long-term success and the integrity of design. Our installation crew has extensive training and experience carefully handling plants to minimize transplant shock and maximize acclimation. Depending on the installation, we will either pre-grow panels off -site or plant onsite.
The final step in any installation is commissioning and training. Since every site and living wall is different, fine-tuning the irrigation/fertigation, controls, and lighting systems is critical in ensuring each plant is getting the optimal amount of water, nutrients, and light. During this process we also train key personnel and building management in ongoing maintenance and operations.
A living wall is a constantly evolving installation that needs ongoing care. This includes tending to the plants, but also the irrigation and drainage systems they rely on. Careful selection of the plant palette, composition, and irrigation system design will play a major role in determining a project’s ongoing maintenance needs. Each of our systems is equipped with multiple fail-safe sensors and remote monitoring capabilities, which help keep the plants happy, irrigated, and leak-free.
Our horticultural knowledge and vertical gardening expertise enable us to promote ideal growing conditions using organic, non-toxic materials that are safe for you and the environment. One of our most important objectives in every project is minimizing future problems and client hassle, and that goes hand in hand with our commitment to sustainable practices. Strategies include using an Integrated Pest Management program (IPM) to mitigate pests and eliminate the use of toxic pesticides. Our in-house IPM manager helps maintain a healthy balanced ecosystem across all our installations.
It’s important to remember that in constructing a living wall we’re jump-starting an ecosystem. We make sure the living wall is accessible to maintenance technicians so that the plants will never be neglected and the integrity of the built environment is also protected.
We work out the answers to important questions early on—for example, will the wall be accessed by ladder, scissor lift, ropes, or swing stage, and how will each of those components get to and from the wall? Answering these questions early in the design process means your living wall will look good on day one and thrive for years to come.
