Living concrete: Democratizing living walls.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science and Engineering
• Urban Ecology and Biophilic Design
• Sustainable Architecture

Background:

• Contemporary living walls are expensive and have short lifespans, limiting their widespread adoption in urban environments.
• Current systems are typically facade-hung, requiring lightweight materials that compromise durability and longevity.
• There is a need for cost-effective, durable, and integrated green infrastructure solutions for cities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel living wall system by integrating it into the building's structural envelope.
• To reduce the cost and increase the lifespan of living walls through innovative material and construction approaches.
• To advance biophilic design in urban areas by creating a more permanent and accessible integration of nature.

Main Methods:

• Developed and tested a new cast-in-place living concrete material as a plant growing medium.
• Investigated concrete's mechanical properties, constructability, and interaction with irrigation water.
• Conducted indoor and outdoor germination and perenniality tests with suitable plant species in cementitious environments.

Main Results:

• A new living concrete material and integrated cast-in-place system were successfully developed.
• Demonstrated constructability, identified suitable plants, and verified plant growth and perenniality in the concrete medium.
• Achieved a 50% reduction in installed living wall costs through in-situ seeding and elimination of nurseries and fertilizers.

Conclusions:

• Integrating living walls into building structures using a novel living concrete offers a cost-effective and permanent solution.
• This approach democratizes biophilic design, making green infrastructure more accessible for urban densification and climate adaptation.
• Rethinking the living wall paradigm can lead to more sustainable and impactful urban ecological solutions.