Living walls are popping up all over New York City, adding a touch of nature to the concrete jungle. Whether you’re a building owner, a property manager, or an architect, you’ve likely noticed how these vertical gardens are transforming office buildings, hotels, and even storefronts. But how does a living wall go from an idea to a fully grown, thriving installation?
In this post, we’re going to walk you through the entire process—starting from the initial spark of an idea, all the way through to the final touches of planting and ongoing care. If you’re thinking about installing a green wall for your commercial property, this guide will give you a clear picture of what to expect.
1. Start with a Vision: What’s the Goal?
The first step in any living wall project is figuring out what you want to achieve. Do you want to enhance your building’s appearance, make your space more eco-friendly, or create a calming environment for employees and tenants?
Some of the most common reasons to install a living wall in NYC include:
Visual appeal: A living wall can make any commercial property look fresh and modern, which helps draw in customers or tenants.
Sustainability goals: If you’re aiming for LEED certification or looking to make your property more energy-efficient, a living wall can help by insulating the building or improving air quality.
Wellness: Biophilic design, which brings natural elements into urban spaces, is proven to boost mood and productivity. This can make a living wall a great feature in office spaces or lobbies.
By defining the purpose of your green wall early, you can ensure that every decision—from plant selection to placement—aligns with your overall goals.
2. Assessing the Space: Where Will It Go?
Once you have a clear vision, it’s time to take a look at where you’re going to install the wall. This step is all about understanding the environment and the logistics of the space.
In NYC, buildings can have a lot of quirks—small spaces, limited sunlight, or even regulations that dictate what you can and can’t do. Here’s what needs to be evaluated:
Light: Is the area going to be bathed in sunlight all day or is it an indoor wall with low light levels? The amount of natural light will influence the types of plants you can use.
Temperature and humidity: New York has hot summers and freezing winters, and these fluctuations can impact plant health. Indoor walls need a different approach compared to exterior ones, which have to handle the elements.
Structural support: Living walls are heavy! The wall you choose needs to be strong enough to handle the weight of plants, soil, and water systems.
At Eco Brooklyn, we help clients navigate these challenges by doing a thorough site inspection. We look at the structure and layout, taking into account any issues that could affect the installation.
3. Designing Your Living Wall: The Fun Part
With the location and environment figured out, you can now start designing the wall itself. This is the stage where your vision really begins to take shape.
The design process includes:
Plant Selection: Not all plants are equal when it comes to living walls. You’ll need to pick species that can thrive in the environment. For instance, some plants do well with minimal light, while others are better suited to outdoor walls where they’ll get direct sunlight. If you’re concerned about maintenance, we can also help you select low-maintenance plants that work well in NYC’s climate.
Irrigation System: A well-designed irrigation system is crucial. Living walls need consistent watering, and in NYC, weather can be unpredictable. Installing an automated system can make a huge difference in keeping your wall looking great with minimal effort.
Structural Considerations: We’ll work with engineers and architects to ensure that the framework is not only functional but also integrates smoothly with your building’s design. In some cases, the living wall might be free-standing, while others could be directly mounted to a structure.
Eco Brooklyn works closely with you throughout the design phase, ensuring the final product is both practical and beautiful. We’ll even model different design ideas so you can visualize the end result before committing.
4. Installation: Bringing It All to Life
Now comes the exciting part—installation. Once everything is planned and designed, the construction phase begins. The first step is putting up the support structure and irrigation system. Depending on the design, the plants might be grown off-site and then brought in as pre-vegetated panels, or they might be planted directly onto the wall.
Planting: If plants are pre-grown, the wall installation can happen fairly quickly. Otherwise, we carefully plant the wall on-site, making sure each plant has the right amount of space and access to water.
Final Adjustments: After the plants are in place, we test the irrigation system to ensure everything is working smoothly. We also make any final tweaks to the design to ensure the wall is stable and the plants are well-situated.
One of the biggest challenges in New York is making sure the installation doesn’t disrupt your business or tenants. Our team coordinates the installation process to be as efficient and non-invasive as possible, so you can continue operating smoothly.
5. Ongoing Care: Keeping Your Living Wall Healthy
After the wall is installed, maintenance is key to keeping it lush and vibrant. While a good irrigation system does a lot of the work, living walls still need some attention.
Watering and Irrigation: Regular checks ensure the irrigation system is delivering water where it’s needed. Automated systems can save a lot of hassle, but you’ll still want a professional to look over the setup every now and then.
Pruning and Plant Replacement: As plants grow, some might need to be trimmed back or replaced. NYC’s climate can be tough, especially if the wall is exposed to the elements, so keeping an eye on plant health is important.
Pest Management and Fertilization: While living walls are fairly self-sustaining, you’ll want to make sure pests don’t become a problem, and that the plants are getting the nutrients they need.
Eco Brooklyn offers maintenance plans that take the headache out of this process. We come by to check on the plants, irrigation, and overall health of the wall regularly, keeping everything in tip-top shape.
Why Eco Brooklyn?
A living wall is a long-term investment, and the team you choose to design, install, and maintain it can make all the difference. At Eco Brooklyn, we specialize in sustainable, thoughtful living wall designs that fit NYC’s unique challenges.
Whether you’re looking to create a stunning feature wall for your building or incorporate more sustainable elements into your property, we’re here to help every step of the way. Learn more about Eco Brooklyn’s elevated green wall services here—and let’s get started on making your vision a reality.