University of York

Client Background

The University of York’s new Environmental Building practises what it preaches with a flourishing living wall by Viritopia.

Featured Solutions

• Viritopia Living Wall System (Exterior)

• Size: 25m² - 150m²
• Industry: Education

A verdant landscape

The University of York has demonstrated its commitment to advancing knowledge and sustainability in the built environment by installing a verdant living wall.

Appeasing  planning

Designed, planted and installed by Viritopia, the living wall is sited on the south elevation of the University’s new Environmental Building. It formed a fundamental planning condition of the construction project, which incorporates a number of sustainable features and connects to the University’s existing district heating system.

21,830 plants

More than 21,830 plants were used in its construction, all chosen for their important contribution to biodiversity and wildlife. The objective was to attract bees and butterflies in particular; hence the planting arrangement of blue, purple, pink, white and yellow foliage - selected because the insects are drawn to these colours. Incorporating a range of species indigenous to the local area, the wall will change with the seasons and continue to bloom all year round.

Ecological and practical benefits

“We wanted to deliver an exemplary building for the University of York that complements and manifests the ideals of the academic departments housed within it,” said Bharat Patil at Bond Bryan Architects, the company responsible for the design of the Environmental Building.

“We had used an Viritopia living wall in one of our previous projects and it ticked all the right boxes in terms of quality and sustainability. Living walls have an array of ecological and practical benefits for a building and its occupants, so this formed an integral part of our design specification on this project.”

Reducing carbon footprint

Providing a strong visual impact and sustainable message, a green wall can help to reduce the carbon footprint of a building by keeping it cooler in summer and warmer in winter, thereby reducing the need for mechanical heating and cooling. It protects exterior walls from weather damage and corrosion, and adds sound insulation, which is particularly useful in busy urban environments. Due to plants being a great source of oxygen, living walls can also offer natural ventilation and assist with air purification, helping those in and around the building to breathe more easily.

Rainwater harvesting

The modular structure of Viritopia’s living walls makes them very easy to install and maintain. The pre-grown cells add instant visual impact and start providing biodiversity and ecological benefits as soon as they have been installed. They incorporate a rainwater harvesting system which works to keep the plants hydrated and in optimum condition using the most natural, energy-efficient method possible. Moreover, the soil and foliage have water and pollution absorption properties that traditional building materials do not offer, bringing further eco-benefits to the built environment.

“Viritopia was really helpful with the design and detailing for ancillary components such as box window surrounds and end cappings,” said Lucy Morris at William Saunders Architects, who provided Contractor design expertise on the project. “The proposal was supplied to the Main Contractor (Morgan Sindall) as a part of the Employer's Requirements, and I’m pleased to say that the end product still looked great when viewed this summer, six to eight months after completion.”

A vibrant solution

Bharat Patil added, "The green wall adds vibrancy and excitement to the user's experience whilst providing an instantly recognisable symbol of a world-class sustainable design.”