Plant pixel: An optimized bio-inspired living wall system

Abstract

Current Modular Living Wall Systems (MLWS) have many benefits but are often also characterized by high costs, high-embodied carbon and short life span materials. To address these issues a bio-inspired MLWS prototype was developed: Plant Pixel. The prototype aimed at improved performance on criteria: low-embodied carbon, hydrological and structural performance, plant performance, simple assembly-disassembly and cost-effectiveness. The Plant Pixel was built in a full-scale mock-up comprising 500 modules and 500 plants. It was found that the selected recycled materials (recycled PVCU, recycled textile, and recycled aluminum), a high-water holding capacity (61.0 l/m2) substrate, low-maintenance plants, and a plug-in fixing system, reduced embodied carbon (66.7 kgCO2e/m2) and improved the hydrological and structural MLWS performance. Additionally, the Plant Pixel prototype had lower material costs (256.1 €/m2) compared to other MLWS products. The Plant Pixel prototype met all the design criteria and exhibited the potential to become a marketable product.

Keywords

• Climate adaptation
• Green façade system
• Embodied carbon
• Prototype
• Research through design