Green Wall, Living Wall

Passing through a greenhouse behind Tyson Building this morning I found a living wall. I’m not sure but I think it might be left over from a class this spring – Horticulture 497B, EcoRoof and Living Wall Technology.  One of the many classes offered at Penn State in the College of Ag Sciences.

This course examined the origins installation, function and maintenance of green roofs and living walls, and similar green technologies. I was intrigue by the notion of using living material to cover vertical surfaces. A nearby poster listed several dynamic uses of these green features in urban environments where horizontal growing space is at a premium.

• Filters air pollution
  
• Manages storm water
  
• Absorbs sound
  
• Minimizes opportunity for graffiti
  
• Lessens urban heat island effect
  
• Offers bird and insect habitat
  

No one was around to question about the living wall but I do know that the Department of Horticulture does house the Center for Green Roof Research. There are some interesting pictures of this technology on a large scale HERE.