High hopes for a sustainable future for Newcastle

New innovation hub boasts one of the UK’s tallest living walls

A 27m-high living wall offering wild strawberries, seagrass and sanctuary for small birds has been installed as part of the build programme for a new sustainable innovation hub in Newcastle. The vertical garden forms a key focal point at Science Central, a 24-acre development currently being constructed by Newcastle Science City, a partnership between Newcastle City Council and Newcastle University.

Designed and engineered by Faulkner Brown Architects in conjunction with Land Use Consultants, ANS Group Europe, Mott MacDonald and Sir Robert McAlpine, the wall measures around 366 sq m in area and contains more than 35,000 plants. The aim was to create an example of urban sustainability in order to encourage sustainable innovation and motivate other organisations to follow suit, as well as consider the possibility of relocating to the region.

The team constructed a series of rails on the side of the seven-storey Core building, the first to be completed on the science park, which will provide 2,750 sq m of flexible office space for technology and science-based businesses. Boxes of plants were slotted into the rails before being linked to an irrigation system. The planting took two weeks in total, from fitting the first rail to potting the final plant.

“We have received a really positive reaction to our living wall,” said Fiona Standfield, director of Newcastle Science City. “It is quite unique and is the first and largest of its kind known to have been installed this far north." It is hoped that the wall will attract a wide range of wildlife to the local area. "We’re also installing 'bee hotels’ on the building which will encourage even more flora and fauna,” explained Standfield.

The building will be surrounded by wildflower and grass meadows, connecting Newcastle’s West End directly to the city centre. Other sustainable features including a planted sedum roof, rainwater harvesting and low energy LED lighting contribute to its BREEAM Excellent rating that was awarded at the design stage.

The Core building is set to open for business in November 2014. For more, visitwww.newcastlesciencecentral.com

Source: http://www.building4change.com/article.jsp?id=2439#.U8gPsPldWKJ

Report from – Keri Jordan 10/7/2014