The Robertson Building
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The Robertson Biowall
Submitted by erinmackeen on November 11, 2006 - 3:13pm.
Filed under: biowall | green
In March 2004, a 24-square meter living-breathing plant wall, or "biowall" was installed in the main lobby of the Robertson Building. Designed by a team from Air Quality Solutions Ltd. the biowall is composed of several varieties of native and exotic indoor flowering plants that are snuggled into their own individual pockets in a blanket of special planting material that allows water to filter through the plant roots. This unique feature graces the building with a stunning blend of colour and fills the lobby with fresh humidified air on a continuous basis. It is a calming respite from the busy street outside.
Besides providing a beautiful welcome to the Robertson Building, the biowall also serves as an effective air purifying system. The plants that live in our lobby were all selected based on their tolerance to limited natural light, as well as their ability reduce indoor air contaminants. These common contaminants are produced by nearby traffic flowing along Spadina; and by off-gassing from coatings on office furniture, paints, drywall, photocopiers, and human fragrances in the building. The biowall works to filter these contaminants and provide clean air to the lobby area and beyond.
The biowall runs independently of any mechanical systems in the building and requires very little maintenance just a bit of dusting, pest control, and the occasional removal of any dead or wilting foliage.
To assist in keeping the biowall healthy, there are two one thousand watt light systems that provide some seasonal UV light. The lights come on at night using off-peak energy supplies throughout the year.
The biowall has raised the interest of tenant and visitors as the plants continue to grow, bloom, and change in front of our eyes on a weekly basis. A variety of species have been successful on the biowall while some others have not done as well. But over the past three years the more hardy and responsive plant communities have been performing beautifully on the Robertson biowall.
For more information on living breathing biowalls try:
www.naturaire.com
Filed under: biowall | green
In March 2004, a 24-square meter living-breathing plant wall, or "biowall" was installed in the main lobby of the Robertson Building. Designed by a team from Air Quality Solutions Ltd. the biowall is composed of several varieties of native and exotic indoor flowering plants that are snuggled into their own individual pockets in a blanket of special planting material that allows water to filter through the plant roots. This unique feature graces the building with a stunning blend of colour and fills the lobby with fresh humidified air on a continuous basis. It is a calming respite from the busy street outside.Besides providing a beautiful welcome to the Robertson Building, the biowall also serves as an effective air purifying system. The plants that live in our lobby were all selected based on their tolerance to limited natural light, as well as their ability reduce indoor air contaminants. These common contaminants are produced by nearby traffic flowing along Spadina; and by off-gassing from coatings on office furniture, paints, drywall, photocopiers, and human fragrances in the building. The biowall works to filter these contaminants and provide clean air to the lobby area and beyond.
The biowall runs independently of any mechanical systems in the building and requires very little maintenance just a bit of dusting, pest control, and the occasional removal of any dead or wilting foliage. To assist in keeping the biowall healthy, there are two one thousand watt light systems that provide some seasonal UV light. The lights come on at night using off-peak energy supplies throughout the year.
The biowall has raised the interest of tenant and visitors as the plants continue to grow, bloom, and change in front of our eyes on a weekly basis. A variety of species have been successful on the biowall while some others have not done as well. But over the past three years the more hardy and responsive plant communities have been performing beautifully on the Robertson biowall.
For more information on living breathing biowalls try:
www.naturaire.com