Erected in the entrance hall of the Louis-Laberge building, at the head office of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, an impressive 20-foot-high green wall welcomes visitors and employees as soon as they arrive. We are not challenging you, but it is said that on some days, it can even be seen from the Metropolitan Expressway passing in front of the building. A green vision in the city, the building was also the first in Quebec to obtain Platinum certification under LEEDv4 O+M, the highest level in its category.
A project within a project; the integration of the large green wall is part of the major modernization project of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ head office, in which VAD has had the opportunity to participate for several years.
When we integrated a green wall of this size into our concept, we were far from imagining all the aspects that would need to be considered to ensure its successful implementation. Fortunately, we were surrounded by an experienced team to support us in bringing it to life. Quite an adventure, which made us want to share with you: the essentials for successfully creating a green wall of this scale.
1) Location. The starting point of the design.
To allow as many people as possible to benefit from it, it is important to give it maximum impact through a strategic location. One notable fact: if it is located in the lobby of a ground floor with doors leading outside nearby, as was the case for us, an additional challenge arises in the selection of the plants, since they must be able to withstand our Quebec winters.
2) The structure.
When tackling a wall of this size, the involvement of a structural engineer is necessary. We wanted to create the impression that it was self-supporting; however, it had to be anchored to the adjacent beams. To achieve this, we painted the anchors so they would blend into the walls.
3) Plumbing. (Irrigation-Drainage)
The most technical aspect. It is essential to ensure that the wall is properly drained on both sides. Its success also depends on close collaboration with those responsible for its maintenance. The technical and technological components of the wall, such as the timers for the irrigation system, also had to be strategically positioned and concealed.
4) Lighting.
A very important element, lighting will highlight your masterpiece and help maintain the health of your plants. But be careful! Too close, and it will burn the plants; too far, and they will lack light and nutrients. A small note: plan for a fairly substantial budget, as the lighting fixtures will quickly increase your cost estimate.
5) Plant selection.
This is where the professionals come in, submitting a planting plan during the planning stage. The plants are selected according to their surrounding conditions. At the top of the wall, they will be more resistant to heat and dryness. At the bottom of the wall, the plants will better tolerate humidity and lower light levels. All of this is planned while also taking colours, textures, flowers and sizes into account, in order to create a harmonious result.
6) Think about future maintenance!
Since green walls require monthly maintenance to ensure their health and the proper functioning
of the system, access must be planned, and even a lift if required! It must be possible to inspect the walls, replenish nutrients and trim the foliage. Insects can also make their way into the walls if they are located near exterior doors, which is why it is important to work with professionals for maintenance.
This concludes a brief overview of our experience and brings us to our final piece of advice: surround yourself with specialists!
Special thanks to Guillaume Brunet of Wallemi green walls as well as Albert Mondor, from Horticulture extrême, who agreed to share their valuable advice for the writing of this post.
The modernization project of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ is led by the Fonds immobilier as well as the Direction des services aux occupants of the Fonds de solidarité, and here are the partners involved in carrying out
the work:
- Planteca, which led the creation of the green wall
- Wallemi green walls, which supplied the vertical garden system and advised on the lighting fixtures
- Horticulture Extrême (Albert Mondor), a consultant specialized in species selection
- JCB Construction, general contractor
- Équation, structural engineers
li>Lighting: Eliptipar distributed by The Lighting Quotient.
In addition to creating an interesting visual impact, helping improve the acoustic performance of spaces and enhancing the environment, green walls allow more biophilia to be added to spaces while using less floor area: a winning solution for making the most of the space while beautifying it.
Amélie Chainey,
Designer and Project Manager, VAD.