North America's Largest Outdoor Green Wall Unveiled

Living artwork includes over 10,000 plants from 120 species.

2010-10-21

VANCOUVER, BC, October 21, 2010 (Press-News.org) Green over Grey Designers have completed planting the largest and most biologically diverse outdoor green wall in North America. It is located in Surrey, BC, Canada, covering the Semiahmoo Public Library and RCMP Facility.

The unique design is nearly 3,000 square feet and consists of over 10,000 individual plants representing more than 120 unique species. It includes ground covers, large perennials, shrubs and small trees.

"This will be our first large-scale green wall in Surrey," says Mayor Dianne Watts. 'It will be a beautiful living work of art that will cover the existing concrete wall and provide many environmental benefits, including saving energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a new ecosystem in the heart of Semiahmoo."

A green wall, also known as a living wall, is a self-sufficient vertical garden that is attached to the exterior or interior of a building. The technology being used is soil-free, and the plants receive water and nutrients from within the vertical support instead of from the ground. It closely mimics how plants grow vertically in nature such as on cliffs, bluffs, tree branches or next to waterfalls.

"The large diversity of plant species chosen creates a balanced ecosystem that is an urban oasis for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds," says Patrick Poiraud, Principal at Green over Grey - Living Walls and Design, the Vancouver-based company designing and constructing the wall. "The living wall helps to insulate the building, purify the air and transform the grey concrete into hundreds of shades of green."

"The initial inspiration for this garden came from the artwork of the Coast Salish (including Semiahmoo) First Nations People," says designer and artist Mike Weinmaster of Green over Grey.

Green over Grey is a leading design firm that focuses on the creation of spectacular and eye-catching green walls throughout North America. The company's list of previous clients and current projects includes developments for the City of Surrey, ING Direct Bank, The Globe Foundation, shopping malls, Sheraton hotels, spas, restaurants as well as numerous residential installations.

For more information visit www.greenovergrey.com.

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