City Centre Corporate Office

Project Scope:
To design, supply and install a bespoke standalone living wall structure in an office environment. The client request was for the planting style to be reflective of a tropical ‘jungle’, with a mix of foliage and variations of colour. The shape of the structure was important to the client in that it was positioned to provide privacy to an area of the working office environment.
Key features and materials:
- Self-contained living wall feature planted on all sides
- 16m2 Fytotextile living wall modules
- 784no plants of mixed varieties
- Bespoke timber sub-frame construction
- Closed irrigation system
- Company logo provided and installed by SAP
- Seating cushion provided by SAP to match company brand colour
- Trim on base provide to match company brand colour
- Brushed stainless steel cladding to base
- Grow lights to match lux requirements
- Bespoke fibre glass guttering and tank
- Irrigation system


A number of challenges were overcome in the design and installation of the project:
Challenge 1: The client had specific dimension requirements and the structure had to be brought to a first-floor location for installation.
Solution 1: The integrity of the drainage and water collection tank was of utmost importance and this was constructed as a single sealed unit. The remaining structure was built off site in sections to suit access requirements and erected on site.
Challenge 2: The curved design and dimensions requested by client meant a flexible living wall solution was required which would suit with the contours of the design.
Solution 2: SAP’s living wall system is constructed from fytotextile fabric which means it can be fitted to both curved and flat surfaces making it an ideal solution for this project. The living wall is attached to a bespoke timber sub-frame and base plinth which were constructed for the project.
Challenge 3: No direct water source or drainage outlet was available for the living wall
Solution 3: SAP designed a self-contained irrigation system with a water tank located in the base of the structure and accessed through a service hatch built into the base plinth. A timed circulating pump is used to irrigate the wall with any drip captured at the base and returned to the tank. As part of the ongoing maintenance the water tank is topped up and feed added, along with periodic cleaning and replenishment of the water.
Challenge 4: Insufficient natural light particularly on the reception door side of the wall.
Solution 4: SAP provided grow light to be fixed at locations around the living wall to increase lux levels.
Challenge 5: Working in a live office environment
Solution 5: As the materials had to be brought through a shared building spaces and the work had potential to disrupt the office environment, the installation took place over a weekend.

