Living Wall Scaffolding Designed to Reduce Pollution

Arup, a global consulting engineering business, together with Grosvenor, a privately owned global property group, have unveiled an innovative new ‘living wall’ scaffolding system in Mayfair, U.K., which the organizations believe haves the potential to reduce air pollution by up to 20 percent. The structure, which is in its trial run, has been installed on scaffolding at the St Mark’s building, a Grade I listed property. Grosvenor is transforming the property to create new retail and community space, which is scheduled to complete in 2017.

The wall, named ‘Living Wall Lite’, spans 80 sq. meters (about 861 sq. ft.) and comprises a mixture of grasses, flowers and strawberries, reducing the visual impact of scaffolding on local residents. It also reportedly improves air quality, and studies have also shown that living walls have been found to reduce noise pollution by up to 10 decibels.

The wall was designed by Arup and manufactured by Swedish living wall specialist Green Fortune, and is being fitted with sensors to monitor its impact on noise, temperature and air pollution to confirm expectations.

“This is a great initiative and is in line with our long-term ambition to improve the environmental sustainability of the buildings across our London estate, reducing emissions by 50 percent by 2030,” said Mark Tredwell, Grosvenor’s development director. “As well as reducing air pollution, we hope the living wall will introduce a rich biodiversity to Mayfair and encourage people to linger in the area.”

“Living Wall Lite has the potential to transform scaffolding into much more than just a cover up,” said Alistair Law, façade engineer and the scaffold developer at Arup. “By introducing plants and flowers, we can create a more attractive and healthier environment for local residents, businesses and workers on site.”

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