Green facelift

Housing Wed, Mar 23, 2016 10:28 AM

Green facelift

From most angles, Worsley Court in Rusholme, east Manchester is an unremarkable apartment block. But walk round to the side of the building that bears its name and suddenly it’s a striking example of how a giant ‘living wall’ can be used to revamp a building and improve a neighbourhood.

Housing association Eastland Homes commissioned green screen company Mobilane to install the 44m high living ivy screen up the full length of the nine-storey residential block to help insulate the building as well as enhancing the look of the structure, which was built in the 60s and is in the process of being refurbished.

Importantly, the ‘green wall’ will also help to reduce pollution levels; Worsley Court is located on Wilmslow Road, a busy bus corridor with high pollutant levels. In total, nine ivy WallPlanters have been installed by Hedera Screens to cover 100 sq m of the building. The plants will remove the same number of pollutant particulates from the air as four to five average-sized trees, but take up a fraction of the space.

Despite their great height, the WallPlanters are easy to maintain because of a special root zone in the planters that has been designed to give the plants an ideal environment in which to grow. A sophisticated irrigation system supplies water and nutrients as required.

Julian Hammond, investment manager at Eastlands Homes, says the ivy clad wall represents an affordable way to improve the look and performance of the building, benefitting both tenants and the environment: “The ivy will help to reduce heat loss from the building in winter, while in the summer months it will help to shield the building from the sun’s rays and keep the interior cool.

“Boosting Worsley Court’s insulation will have the knock-on effect of reducing energy consumption, helping to make the building more environmentally friendly and reduce energy bills for our customers. Cleaner air is a further bonus of the project.”

The inherent environmental credentials of the green screens mean that these practical challenges have been met with a highly sustainable solution. As Sean Farrell of Mobilane says, “Eastlands Homes emphasised the importance of sustainability in the brief for this project; they were looking for a long term solution to the problem of poor insulation which would also enhance the local area. With minimal maintenance required and the significant benefit of purer air, the WallPlanters deliver on every level.”

Featured News

Specification news
CRL Paris System now available in four design-led...

Newly available in a chic and sophisticated Matte Black finish, the CRL Paris System...

Read More >>

Specification news
Swish Building Products extends NatureClad range with...

Swish Building Products has extended its NatureClad cladding range with the addition...

Read More >>

BUILDING PRODUCT LIBRARY - LATEST BROCHURES

Your high performance facade panel. With James Hardie, It’s Possible™ Brochure

Your high performanc...
By James Hardie

Download Now >>

James Hardie brings unique designs to life with beautiful fibre cement products that are built to last. It’s Possible™ Brochure

James Hardie brings...
By James Hardie

Download Now >>

fermacell® The Specification Guide Brochure

fermacell® The Speci...
By James Hardie

Download Now >>

Hardie backer fibre cement backerboard for Tile & Stone  Brochure

Hardie backer fibre...
By James Hardie

Download Now >>

RIVERSTONE® - DISCOVER NATURAL PHYLLITE Brochure

RIVERSTONE® - DISCOV...
By SSQ

Download Now >>

BUILDING PRODUCT DIRECTORY - LATEST PRODUCTS

Senses White Fleck Kitchen Surfaces
Senses White Fleck Kitchen Surfaces

Senses Kitchen Surfaces. Beautifully Crafted, Effortlessly Maintained. The Senses range of...

Read More >>

SM 485: fast-setting, self-levelling smooth coat for interior floors
SM 485: fast-setting, self-levelling smooth coat for interior floors

FASSA's new SM 485: Your choice for a fast-setting, self-levelling smooth coat for interior floors,...

Read More >>

SL 416: A fast-setting, self-levelling smooth coat for interior floors
SL 416: A fast-setting, self-levelling smooth coat for interior floors

FASSA's new SL 416: A fast-setting, self-levelling smooth coat for interior floors. With superb...

Read More >>

CONSTRUCTION VIDEOS - LATEST VIDEOS

Specification Insights with Majestic London Showers
Specification Insights with Majestic London Showers

Specification Insights with Majestic London Showers

Watch Now >>

Discover the first-ever reference book for stone wool insulated sandwich panels
Discover the first-ever reference book for stone wool insulated sandwich panels

“Building with stone wool insulated sandwich panels” written by Professor Imperadori, is now...

Watch Now >>

Portakabin | Installation at the iconic Admiralty Arch, London
Portakabin | Installation at the iconic Admiralty Arch, London

Portakabin | Installation at the iconic Admiralty Arch, London

Watch Now >>