Green Walls: l’Oasis d’Aboukir by Patrick Blanc
A green wall is a wall that is completely or partially covered with vegetation. French botanist Patrick Blanc is credited as the inventor of the concept in the late 1980s. Green walls are found most often in urban environments where the plants reduce overall temperatures of the building. Plant surfaces reduce the absorption of solar radiation and heat storage in the building material.
L’Oasis d’Aboukir green wall
L’Oasis d’Aboukir green wall can be found in Paris, at the corner of Rue d’Aboukir and Rue des Petits Carreaux, a densely populated area in the city center. The green wall was installed on the occasion of Paris Design Week in 2013. Installation was realized in less than seven weeks.
Wall before the installation
The 250 square meters (2700 square feet) wall counts 7.600 plants and more than 200 different species. Less than two months after the installation, plants had covered the entire wall.
One week after installation
Two months after the installation, the wall was completely covered with plants
“I am very happy to contribute to the welfare and environmental consciousness of the inhabitants of a historic district in the heart of Paris” said Blanc, who has been creating green walls for more than 30 years.
Other green walls in Paris
The most famous green wall or vertical garden in Paris is the one installed at Musée du Quai Branly. It is a stunning 8600 square feet work facing the Seine river. This green wall was also designed by Patrick Blanc.
Musée du Quai Branly
Another exemple can be found at BHV department store.
Enter Patrick Blanc’s webpage to see his other works: http://www.murvegetalpatrickblanc.com