GPW: Ngee Ann Polytechnic"™s Vertical Extensive Green Wall Testing Facility

This article highlights the Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Vertical Extensive Green Wall Testing Facility in Singapore, a project initiated in 2009 to develop simpler and more sustainable green wall systems for high-rise residential buildings. With over 90% of Singapore's population residing in such structures, there's a strong emphasis on greening the urban environment, extending beyond traditional green roofs and sky gardens to include vertical greening. The project involved a two-year research effort by 40 students from the School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology. Their goal was to identify suitable plant species and develop a practical vertical extensive green (VEG) system. This led to the creation of a 12m x 2.5m green wall comprising 120 polypropylene panels, each measuring 50 x 50 x 3cm. These panels were pre-grown with shallow-rooted vegetative cuttings and plantlets, utilizing eleven different species of grass, bromeliad, creeper, and fern planted in cocopeat with 2% osmocote. The research focused on assessing the long-term growth performance of these species in a shallow panel system, aiming to overcome the limitations of existing overseas systems which were often heavy, difficult to install, and designed for deep-rooted plants. Following the success of the VEG system, the National Parks Board Singapore’s Centre For Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE) Research collaborated with Ngee Ann Polytechnic to develop a simple, inexpensive, and aesthetically pleasing vertical greening system specifically for residential homes. This initiative stemmed from an October 2009 student design competition challenging students to create a portable, do-it-yourself vertical greenery system. Drawing inspiration from student submissions, researchers and lecturers developed a patent-registered, stackable modular system. This innovative system allows for single units, or stacks of three or six, to be free-standing or wall-mounted, and can even function as miniature table gardens. Its design emphasizes ease of assembly and maintenance, and it integrates a self-regulating water supply with an efficient drainage system. This prevents plant stress from either under or over-watering, ensuring a healthy growing environment indoors. The product removes the guesswork from manual watering, making indoor greening accessible and practical for homeowners. Further research at the facility focused on evaluating shallow-rooted plant species for their growth habits, disease susceptibility, nutrient deficiencies, and maintenance requirements. An instructional DVD and booklet are available for purchase at the Garden Shop of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, providing guidance on this innovative vertical greenery system. The project demonstrates a commitment to integrating greenery into Singapore's high-density urban landscape, both outdoors and indoors, through accessible and sustainable solutions. #GreenWall #VerticalGardening #NgeeAnnPolytechnic #Singapore #UrbanGreening #SustainableDesign #ResearchProject #DIYGreenery #LandscapeHorticulture #GreenWall #VerticalGardening #NgeeAnnPolytechnic #Singapore #UrbanGreening #SustainableDesign #ResearchProject #DIYGreenery #LandscapeHorticulture

170 months ago

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