Page 66 - I-Plants Magazine special 2021 Biophilic Design Awards issue - regular res

Silver Award 66

Green Walls & Vertical Gardens,
Interior & Exterior
$10,001-$20,000

Project:
655 West Broadway

Congratulations to:

Good Earth Plant & Flower Co., Inc.

San Diego, California, U.S.A

The story behind this design and installation:
Our longtime client Avison Young asked for our help with their renovation project of a major upscale San Diego
office building at 655 West Broadway. We proposed a living wall the height of the lobby to greet people entering
the building and to add a “wow” moment upon first impression. The wall design was a first for us: constructed on a
radius (concave curve). It is 27 feet tall, and the largest indoor living wall in downtown San Diego. The 300 square
foot wall is made 105 SageLife biotiles, separate modules filled with rock wool substrate. Eight different plant
species for a total of 1,972 plants in the wall including Dracaena warnekii, Neon pothos, Ferns, Compacta, Schefflera
Arboricola, and Cordatum philodendron. The biotiles were planted in late September 2019 in preparation for
installation. The irrigation system includes a fertilizer injector added to the water. A remote moisture monitoring
system provides a convenient way to ensure plants are getting the right amount of water. We can see how much
water the wall is using and can turn it on and off remotely. The wall uses approximately three ounces of water per
square foot per day, or seven gallons total daily. Like a lot of projects, there were some challenging surprises.
The irrigation system overspray needed to be contained so as not to douse people or damage walls and furniture.
We had a limited time window coordinating with other contractors for installation. It was all successfully navigated
and the results are everything the client asked for. Special thanks to Avison Young General Manager Barbara Putis
and the team at White Construction of San Diego, especially Darrin, Jesse, and Nancy. They were wonderful people
to work with despite the hiccups.
What makes this design biophilic?
Healthy places support healthier people. Like never before as The wall is composed of 1,972 individual plants growing
we emerge from the pandemic, healthy people fuel a healthy in 105 BioTiles. The finished living wall provides intrigu-
ing biomorphic forms, textures and patterns while visually
economy. Living with the ongoing reality of future pandemics connecting tenants and guests with nature and the natural
is accelerating demand for healthy spaces. In 2015, The Human elements most desired in the indoor office environment
Spaces report into The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the including light, fresh air, and plants.
Workplace led by renowned organizational psychologist Profes-
sor Sir Cary Cooper found employees who work in environments
with natural elements report a 15% higher level of wellbeing, are
6% more productive, and 15% more creative overall. It concluded
that office design was so important to workers that a third (33%)
of global respondents stated it would unequivocally affect their
decision whether or not to work somewhere. Access to fresh
air, light, nature, and any other biophilic design option gives
employees the confidence their work environment is as safe as it
can be, and at least as inviting as their work from home environ-
ment. It will be a primary driver in a return-to-work strategy. Ac-
cess to nature is increasingly critical for employee mental health
and overall wellbeing. Client Avison Young recognized this need
even before the pandemic made it a must. Workplace biophilic
design embraces bringing the outdoor environment indoor
through the use of light, natural materials, textures, views, access
to outdoor spaces such as patios or terraces, and the integration
of plants in containers and living walls. Indoor environments
mimicking outdoor environments will give employees greater
confidence their wellbeing is not at risk. The 655 West Broadway
living wall project provides an ideal example of workplace design
integrating a biophilic design approach.