ArchWeek - Literally Green Facades

[Kevin Matthews]

This forum thread is for discussion of the ArchitectureWeek article:

[aggie8387]

The author of this article has neglected a very important issue. That is what method different varieties of plants use to climb. Clinging vines such as Boston Ivy or English Ivy can do significant damage to a building's facade. Twining vines such as Wisteria do not present this problem, but require a support structure of some sort. It is also important to understand that many of these plants will require maintenance that may be difficult as a result of their height. Many vines will reach the top of the structure and develop an "eyebrow effect". This occurs where the plant grows beyond its supports, but does not continue new growth on lower areas.

Also the use of the term "cooling effect" is somewhat misleading. The plants won't cool the building, but they will slow its heating from the sun.

Building owners need to understand all the risks as well as the benefits before proceeding with this type of planting.

[Kevin]

Thanks for your thoughts! Actually the authors of the article are extremely clear about the importance of choosing appropriate plant species -- but, perhaps unfortunately, the editors considered those comments to be outside the scope of this particular article.

The authors also point out in thier book that while there is an extensive horticultural literature on choosing climbing plants and vines, there is much less public information on how to provide the robust, durable supporting structures that allow the plants to flourish without damaging a building. And in this article, example plant species (climbers, not vines) are clearly identified.

Certainly care in choosing facade greening plants is in order!

I find it harder to agree with your concern about the use of the term "cooling effect". The term is used well into the article, on the second page, after the context has been clearly established.

In fact, the second sentence explains, "Climbers can dramatically reduce the maximum temperatures of a building by shading walls from the sun." I don't think there is anything misleading here.

And while the authors don't make such a claim in the article, many others refer to both indirect cooling effects of plants by shading, and direct effects as well. For instance: