Green Buildings and Green Walls

Concern for the environment is high on everyone’s agenda these days, with the issue of climate change and there is concern for natural wildlife habitats. Of course, the building industry is not always seen as being on the side of nature, but “green” buildings are coming more to the fore and the industry is searching for other ways to promote a positive contribution to the environment.

The giant Westfield shopping centre in London has been praised for using an emerging green building design to help promote biodiversity in towns and cities. The shopping centre is in the west of London and it consists of a “living wall” with ferns and flowers separating the pedestrian walkway from nearby housing areas.

The owners of the shopping centre say that, in addition to the promotion of plant life, the wall has cut down on noise for residents and had created an attractive environment which has helped to ensure that all restaurant units have been let.

Canadian company ELT Easy Green developed the wall, which will be recognised in a new report by the Green Building Council, which says that buildings can play a key role in helping local biodiversity.

Dr Carol Williams is chair of the UK-GBC Biodiversity Task Group, which write the report. She said: "The construction and property sector has been pilloried in the past for its negative impact on green space, wildlife and habitat," observed "But the industry can actually have a positive influence on ecological value."

Developers, landlords and consultants can take guidance from the report on how to assist biodiversity in towns and cities and successful projects are cited, which include Jubilee Park at Canary Wharf, east London and buildings owned by commercial property developer British Land on which green roofs have been installed.

The report says that benefits of green roofs include a reduction in flood risk and an improvement in insulation. In addition increased productivity has been associated with green workplaces.

GBC's chief executive Paul King said: "Green roofs, living walls, and good old-fashioned parks and green spaces in our built environment can make us all feel happier and healthier, and give something back to nature. There is also evidence emerging of the economic value of biodiversity enhancement, which will be a critical driver for the industry."

The report also makes recommendations for updates to green building standards such as BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) and the Code for Sustainable Homes, moving towards better biodiversity and suggesting the development of metrics to measure how buildings impact biodiversity.