The largest green wall in Poland is growing at Concordia Design in Wroclaw!
Aleksandra Kalina - Tacik
On the roof of Concordia Design, we have created Poland's largest green wall with an area of 360m2, which for the 5th year attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually.
Wroclaw citizens and tourists drop by for a coffee or cocktail (there is a bar called Breathe in and Breathe out on the roof), and employees who have an office in our building can enjoy an ideal break space.
The topic of green walls, rooftops and vertical gardens is becoming an increasingly important element in the design of urban spaces in the face of increasing urbanization, climate change and air pollution.
Our experience allows us to show what impact this installation has had on the operation of our building, the perception of tenants and customers, and the noticeable changes in the presence of insects and birds that have chosen our roof to live on.
The green wall in the Concordia Design building is an outdoor installation, where 18,000 plants have been planted on an area of 360m2 in special panels, textile pockets.
Below, we share our observations and point out the benefits to both the users of our building and the environment.
- Water savings
The entire wall is continuously irrigated with a drip irrigation system, but due to the even distribution of the irrigation system, as well as the smaller amount of soil, such a system uses 50-70% less water than watering lawns or flower beds in a traditional garden.
Green walls benefit from lightweight, absorbent substrates (e.g., rockwool, coir, geotextiles) that retain moisture longer than garden soil, plus because the walls are vertical less water evaporates from the surface. Less evaporation means that plants benefit from the same amount of water longer.
- C02 reduction and oxygen production
Vegetation on walls and roofs actively absorbs CO₂ and produces oxygen. Studies show thatone square meter of green wall absorbs 2.3 kg of CO2 from the air each year and produces 1.7 kg of oxygen. In the case of Concordia Design, this means that each year our green wall absorbs more than 800 kg of CO2 and produces more than 600 kg of oxygen.
In addition, green walls can also remove particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) from the air, reducing its concentration by up to 60% in the immediate area.
- Temperature control
Green roofs and walls act as a natural insulator, reducing building heating in summer and heat loss in winter. At Concordia Design, the green wall is located around the core of the building causing both our technical rooms, stairwell and lobby to require less cooling in the summer.
In addition, visitors to our rooftop bar Breathe & Exhale in summer can feel, the green wall absorbs heat and increases humidity, improving the microclimate of the environment.
- Noise suppression
Another unique feature of vegetation is its ability to absorb sound. Green walls can reduce noise by as much as 40-50 dB, equivalent to the difference between traffic and a quiet park.
5. improve mental and physical health
Contact with greenery has a relaxing effect, lowers cortisol levels and improves mood. Office workers with a view of greenery are 15% more productive.
6. biodiversity
The emergence of green walls, vertical gardens or other spaces with diverse and rich vegetation has a very positive impact on biodiversity.
On our terrace you can observe many species of urban birds, which also eagerly make nests on the roof top. In addition, due to the fact that we have decided to plant a variety of plant species, including honey-giving ones, we watch with fascination the work of bees, whose support and protection is crucial to the proper functioning of the ecosystem.
Challenges in designing and maintaining green walls and vertical gardens.
Our green wall was created in 2019, and as of 2021, its care is provided by Smart Green. Maja Elbow describes the work of caring for the green wall at Concordia Design as follows:
"Starting the maintenance of this green wall was quite a challenge due to its size, variation and the need for height and high temperatures. The wall is more than 6 meters high.
A favorable factor is the glazed space, which gives the plants constant access to natural light while protecting them from gusty winds , which has a positive effect on their growth.
In such a large area, plants were selected that work well together, including: funcas, begonias, hydrangeas and herbs. Maintaining this green space requires expertise and a quick response to possible diseases or pests, but regular care and control of the irrigation system by our specialists ensures that the wall remains an impressive decoration of the building all year round."
A place accessible to all
We want both our building and the unique terrace to be accessible and inclusive. Throughout the year, residents and tourists can use it as a vantage point. From late spring to autumn, we invite visitors to the Breathe & Exhale bar, where we organize both intimate events with live music and concerts. The terrace is also an exhibition space, where we organize Photo Summit Days, among other events, and the green wall creates a wonderful backdrop for art.
Office or conference center tenants on a daily basis can use the terrace to take a break or meet in an informal atmosphere after work.
Follow our profiles for more information on upcoming events.
