Green facades: An investment in aesthetics and sustainability

Green facades are becoming increasingly important, especially in the city. Green facades have many positive effects: They are able to cool, insulate and protect against noise – thereby mitigating the negative effects of climate change and traffic. A green facade is also a real eye-catcher.

What are the benefits of green facades?

Various publications have demonstrated the positive effects of greening buildings and facades in particular. The most important effects are:

  1. Cooling: There is a clear effect on the local air temperature. The green moderates the temperature (according to case studies by up to 1.3 degrees Celsius).
  2. Evaporation: In addition, the green facade increases the evaporation of rainwater (by up to 12 millimetres per day according to case studies).
  3. Air quality: Finally, there are positive effects on air quality (according to case studies, particulate matter concentrations are reduced by up to 60 percent and nitrogen dioxide concentrations by up to 40 percent).

The environmental impact is associated with economic effects. For example, the additional layer around the building saves electrical energy that would otherwise have to be used for cooling systems. The benefits for the air and climate in the surrounding area are not only building-related, but also valuable in an urban context – which is another reason why developers who integrate green facades into their planning are eligible for additional funding opportunities.

Types of green facades: ground-based vs. wall-mounted

The way in which green facades can be implemented is constantly evolving. Architecture, urban planning as well as gardening and landscaping are merging in new ways. Modern, modular planting systems often already include solutions for irrigation and the right nutrient substrate composition for the plants. The various systems are:

Wall-mounted green facades

Wall-mounted systems are installed directly on the facade. They are ideal for urban locations, where space at ground level is often limited. The plants take root in their own modular facade elements, which are attached to the wall. The elements contain the substrate for the roots and integrate solutions for watering and supplying the plants with nutrients.

Ground-based green facades

Ground-based systems allow the selected plants to root in the soil. This is good for deep root formation and makes artificial irrigation easier. Today, ground-based systems are widely used in conjunction with special cable constructions. Climbing plants grow up the steel cables and eventually cover the entire net-like structure.

Choosing the right plants

The companies in our group are experts in the selection and combination of suitable plants for all systems and work closely with the fitters and building technicians during installation to achieve optimum results.

Many different plants are suitable for facade greening, especially for wall-mounted systems. The selection ranges from mosses and perennials to special woody plants and grasses that also do well in a vertical orientation.

Costs and maintenance

The costs for a green facade can be divided into two main items: the costs for installation and the costs for care and maintenance. Experience shows that the installation costs are between € 250 and € 1,000 per square meter, but can also deviate from these figures depending on the project and planning. The maintenance costs are between € 10 and € 40 per square meter per year, but also depend on the system, size, structural conditions and technology.

Regular maintenance work is recommended during the growing season. The work to be carried out regularly includes:

  • Pruning plants
  • Removal of dead plant material
  • Replacing plants that have died
  • Ensuring windows, downpipes, air vents etc. are kept clear
  • Maintenance of climbing aids
  • Maintenance of irrigation and fertilization equipment
  • Protecting the irrigation system from frost (in the autumn)

Regular maintenance ensures the long-term effects of the green facades and protects the investment at the same time. Automated irrigation systems can minimize the maintenance effort and maintain the benefits. The regular maintenance work mentioned above can be conducted regularly by the companies in our group.

Project examples from Greenovis member companies

Project examples from Greenovis member companies

Living Wall from Vertiko in Kiwittsmoor

The Kiwittsmoor project was realised from February to September 2023 by our member company Klaus Hildebrandt AG Garten- und Landschaftsbau. It comprises the construction of a Living Wall by Vertiko including a curtain wall made of Alucobond system with various perennials. The client was Hamburger Hochbahn AG.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Living Wall in Bad Segeberg

In the period from September to October 2022, our member company Klaus Hildebrandt AG Garten- und Landschaftsbau realised a Vertiko Living Wall with a wide variety of perennials. The client was ARGOS Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Interested? Get in touch now!



Greenovis GmbH
Garten- und Landschaftsbau
Katzbergstraße 3a
40764 Langenfeld

greenovis.de info@greenovis.de

Flöter & Uszkureit Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau GmbH
Nuthestraße 15
12307 Berlin

fundu.de info@fundu.de

ringbeck

Ringbeck GmbH
Niederlassung Bonn
Nikolaus-Otto-Strasse 20
53859 Niederkassel

ringbeck-galabau.de bonn@ringbeck-galabau.de

ringbeck

Ringbeck GmbH
Niederlassung Langenfeld
Alter Knipprather Weg 16
40764 Langenfeld

ringbeck-galabau.de langenfeld@ringbeck-galabau.de

ringbeck

Ringbeck GmbH
Hauptsitz Oelde
Wibbeltstrasse 15
59302 Oelde

ringbeck-galabau.de info@ringbeck-galabau.de

ringbeck

Ringbeck GmbH
Niederlassung Mülheim
Postreitweg 44
45472 Mülheim an der Ruhr

ringbeck-galabau.de muelheim@ringbeck-galabau.de

Roehse & Fischer GmbH
Lupinenweg 35
33334 Gütersloh

roehse-fischer.de info@roehse-fischer.de

Siefken GmbH
Nordseestrasse 2
26954 Nordenham

siefken.de info@siefken.de

Klaus Hildebrandt AG
Zentrale Hamburg
Poppenbütteler Bogen 40
22399 Hamburg

hildebrandt-galabau.de info@hildebrandt-galabau.de

Klaus Hildebrandt AG
Niederlassung Berlin
Charlottenburger Ufer 9
10587 Berlin

hildebrandt-galabau.de info@hildebrandt-galabau.de

Rüdiger Brandenburg
Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau GmbH
Am Fuchsbau 15 b
14554 Seddiner See

galabau-rb.de info@galabau-rb.de

Rottmann GmbH
Vorhelmer Str. 115
59269 Beckum

rottmann-gmbh.de info@rottmann-gmbh.de

Könning Garten- und Landschaftsbau GmbH
Deventerstraße 9
48163 Münster

galabau-koenning.de info@galabau-koenning.de

Wulf GmbH
Herulerweg 132
22848 Norderstedt

wulf-galabau.de info@wulf-galabau.de

ringbeck

Ringbeck GmbH
Niederlassung Köln
Hugo-Junkers-Straße 19 a
50739 Köln

ringbeck-galabau.de/ langenfeld@ringbeck-galabau.de