When PEGA solutions in Washington, D.C. commissioned us to do a lush and leafy five by seven-foot wall garden, we virtually had a clean slate to work with. The office was still under construction, with the walls exposed and drywall not yet finished. It was a perfect time to start a project that would soon become the focal point for their daily operations. The owners were looking for something eye-catching, bold, and had a lot of texture.
Bringing a Little of the Great Outdoors in With Wall Garden Art
PEGA Solutions is a computer automation and robotics company that deals with very concrete and complex problem-solving issues. We thought adding a little whimsical would stimulate creativity and out of the box thinking. With so much seriousness going on throughout the day, we wanted to bring in a little of the great outdoors to keep things light and less stressful in such a competitive industry.
Triple Fold Wall Garden Design – Increase Productivity, Absorb Chaos, and Enhance Mood
We also wanted something that will help to absorb the office chaos and promote productivity, as plants do by enhancing mood. Instead of building the wall garden art and then hanging it where people want it, this wall art was recessed into the wall, which allowed us to have a lot of leeways for things to overhang and get a little “wild”.
Various Colors and Lengths to Create A Pattern Amid the Discord
For this design, we decided to let the plants do all the work and build a basic wood border that would blend into the background, yet define the piece. We then placed Flat moss, Hedera leaves, Diosmi, and Pittosporum. In one corner we mixed overhanging leaves with various deep green and nearly blue hues along with elegant accents of white, to give it a spicy yet classic interplay. Next, we placed moss in bunches to add textures. Then, throughout, we staggered various colors with differing lengths of plants to give it a patterned stripe.
A Preserved Wall Garden to Help the Office Flow
Since the office space will eventually have warm hues and calm decor, we thought we would add just a little more excitement with varying lengths, colors, and lots of things to look at. The depth of the wall garden will provide soundproofing, which will help the office space. And we hope that the passion we put into the garden wall art piece will help the creativity in the office flow and bounce, and lead to some sensational things.
Thanks to PEGA for the Opportunity
We would like to thank PEGA Solutions for allowing us to be a part of their new office building’s design. Our mission was to provide them with a breath of fresh air, amid chaos. And also to help their brainstorming and creative spirit shine. Thanks for letting us help—we hope that your company will grow and prosper !
When we approach our customers, the most common question we are asked is, “How do preserved walls and living walls differ?” The first misconception we want to clear up is that one is not better than the other. Both types of walls deliver the benefit of health and wellness, and with an amazingly unique aesthetic appearance. It is just that sometimes one suits an environment and the desires of a client more than the other. If you do not have a green thumb preserved in the way to go. Living walls do require a significant amount of attention and maintenance.
The major difference between a living wall and a preserved wall is that living walls are actually alive, and preserved walls are all-natural, but they are preserved with a non-toxic glycerin based solution, a natural preservative that allows us to create sustainable and maintenance free wall gardens.
Living Walls
Living wall systems require a lot more maintenance than preserved walls. They can either be watered by hand, like any other houseplant, or they can have an irrigation system built in to deliver water according to set timers. Living walls are unique and custom-created for the client, so no two are ever alike. One of the biggest concerns with a living wall is the placement of it.
Because it requires a fair amount of light, the environment must be conducive for them to thrive. Also, they require pruning and regular maintenance both to grow healthily and also to maintain their shape and “clean” look. Finally, living walls are heavily gauged by temperature fluctuations and things like humidity. So their placement and precautions to supply them what they need to prosper is an ongoing concern.
Preserved Walls
Preserved walls are made from natural moss and other natural plant materials that are no longer alive. We use natural glycerin to maintain their natural look over time, and they do not require watering, pruning, sunlight and they are completely maintenance-free.
They can require occasional dusting to ensure that they maintain their fresh and lifelike appearance. Preserved walls are ideal for offices that do not have a lot of natural light or a dimly-lit hallway. Their greatest benefit is that they can be constructed anywhere without environmental concerns. And also that they last a very long time without any effort.
Advantages of Living Walls
Living walls can grow on any free-standing wall or on the side of any building as long as it gets the right sunlight and temperature conditions. Living walls tend to be highly aesthetically pleasing because they can use flowering plants and herbs. They also help to reduce indoor air temperatures, reduce pollution, and have a healthy effect on those around them. Living walls alter over time as the plant’s life cycle evolves. And they also have many great benefits for the environment.
Advantages of Preserved Walls
Preserved walls are sustainable and they are made from ferns, moss, flowers, and other vegetation. When the living matter is preserved, it locks in the natural color and texture of the plant. So it retains its appearance over time without any maintenance required. Preserved walls won’t ever release allergens like pollen spores into the air, like living plants. But they offer the same health benefits to reduce stress and increase creativity.
When Living Walls Might be a Better Option
Living walls tend to be highly attractive to homeowners who have open and airy environments, filled with enough natural light to sustain them. They are also ideal for the gardener who likes to prune and doesn’t mind maintaining them. Living walls are also a good choice for industries that want to showcase their environmental commitment and are looking for that “wow” factor and do not mind having someone care for the walls regularly.
When Preserved Walls Might be a Better Option
Preserved walls make an excellent choice for organizations that don’t have a lot of natural light or the time to maintain a living wall. Offices that are shut in without a whole lot of light get the benefit of a unique and environmentally friendly wall design without all the hassles necessary to make a living wall thrive. Preserved walls give you the best of both worlds; they are aesthetically pleasing and help positivity and creativity flow in the workplace. And since they are maintenance-free, you get all the benefits of having a natural wall without constantly having to worry about keeping it alive and looking pretty.
