Plant pixel: An optimized bio-inspired living wall system

Maricruz Solera Jimenez; João Cortesão; Sanda Lenzholzer; Ralf Walker

doi:10.1016/j.dibe.2024.100438

Plant pixel: An optimized bio-inspired living wall system

Maricruz Solera Jimenez, João Cortesão, Sanda Lenzholzer, Ralf Walker

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Abstract

Current Modular Living Wall Systems (MLWS) have many benefits but are often also characterized by high costs, high-embodied carbon and short life span materials. To address these issues a bio-inspired MLWS prototype was developed: Plant Pixel. The prototype aimed at improved performance on criteria: low-embodied carbon, hydrological and structural performance, plant performance, simple assembly-disassembly and cost-effectiveness. The Plant Pixel was built in a full-scale mock-up comprising 500 modules and 500 plants. It was found that the selected recycled materials (recycled PVCU, recycled textile, and recycled aluminum), a high-water holding capacity (61.0 l/m2) substrate, low-maintenance plants, and a plug-in fixing system, reduced embodied carbon (66.7 kgCO2e/m2) and improved the hydrological and structural MLWS performance. Additionally, the Plant Pixel prototype had lower material costs (256.1 €/m2) compared to other MLWS products. The Plant Pixel prototype met all the design criteria and exhibited the potential to become a marketable product.

Original language	English
Number of pages	18
Journal	Developments in the Built Environment
Early online date	24 Apr 2024
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dibe.2024.100438
Publication status	Published - Apr 2024
Externally published	Yes

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abstract = "Current Modular Living Wall Systems (MLWS) have many benefits but are often also characterized by high costs, high-embodied carbon and short life span materials. To address these issues a bio-inspired MLWS prototype was developed: Plant Pixel. The prototype aimed at improved performance on criteria: low-embodied carbon, hydrological and structural performance, plant performance, simple assembly-disassembly and cost-effectiveness. The Plant Pixel was built in a full-scale mock-up comprising 500 modules and 500 plants. It was found that the selected recycled materials (recycled PVCU, recycled textile, and recycled aluminum), a high-water holding capacity (61.0 l/m2) substrate, low-maintenance plants, and a plug-in fixing system, reduced embodied carbon (66.7 kgCO2e/m2) and improved the hydrological and structural MLWS performance. Additionally, the Plant Pixel prototype had lower material costs (256.1 €/m2) compared to other MLWS products. The Plant Pixel prototype met all the design criteria and exhibited the potential to become a marketable product.",

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AU - Walker, Ralf

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N2 - Current Modular Living Wall Systems (MLWS) have many benefits but are often also characterized by high costs, high-embodied carbon and short life span materials. To address these issues a bio-inspired MLWS prototype was developed: Plant Pixel. The prototype aimed at improved performance on criteria: low-embodied carbon, hydrological and structural performance, plant performance, simple assembly-disassembly and cost-effectiveness. The Plant Pixel was built in a full-scale mock-up comprising 500 modules and 500 plants. It was found that the selected recycled materials (recycled PVCU, recycled textile, and recycled aluminum), a high-water holding capacity (61.0 l/m2) substrate, low-maintenance plants, and a plug-in fixing system, reduced embodied carbon (66.7 kgCO2e/m2) and improved the hydrological and structural MLWS performance. Additionally, the Plant Pixel prototype had lower material costs (256.1 €/m2) compared to other MLWS products. The Plant Pixel prototype met all the design criteria and exhibited the potential to become a marketable product.

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Plant pixel: An optimized bio-inspired living wall system

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