The Eco-Curtain:Vertical Gardens in Urban Spaces

Students: Andrew Bresee, Dave Erbe, Chanvearsna Omkar, and

Shaina PaulsonAdvisors: Dr. Dave Tilley & Dr.

Hooman Koliji

Presentation Outline:

● Goals of the Project● Introduction to Green Walls● Design Process● Materials and Plant Selection● Construction● Testing and Monitoring● Implementation, Community Outreach and

education● Discussion● The Future

ENST Capstone Group Goals:1. Collaborate effectively between ARCH and ENST

students to design an innovative green wall that builds off of previous years work and research.

2. Build a testable prototype where we can measure plant survivability, leaf area index, manage light, and control water use.

3. Present our prototype at Maryland Day to get feedback on our initial design.

4. Build a full scale green wall using our results and begin the patent pending process to streamline the design.

What is a Green Wall?

A green wall is vertical section of a building covered with vegetation and provides both aesthetic value and improves surrounding air quality.

Benefits of a green wall:● Improves air quality● Provides insulation and cooling● Provides noise reduction● Provides aesthetic value and brings nature to indoor

spaces● Can be used for education purposes

Aeroponics vs. Hydroponics

Aeroponics is when water is misted down onto plants and plant roots.

Hydroponics are when the plant roots are submerged in water at all times.

The Design Process: ● Discussion between ARCH and ENST focusing

on different design elements● Research different plant types, watering

systems, light systems, and materials.● Construct green wall prototype, 3D printing of

planter boxes, and assembly of modules● Test prototype and make recommendations for

large scale implementation.● Build and implement full scale green wall in

the Architecture/Animal Science Building.● Monitor green wall as plants mature.

Original

Design

Architecture Hallway

North

Offices

Roundtable Discussion

Plant Research

Our Design

HydroponicAeroponic

Con

cept

Des

ign

Module and Planter Box Making

The Prototype

Greenhouse Tests

Monitoring the Prototype

• Watered 3 times a day for 15 minutes

• Time Lapse monitoring to see plant growth

ResultsSurvivability

Panel Number of Plants

Survivability

1 8/12 67%

2 11/12 92%

Percent CoverPercent empty

Number of plants

Percent Cover

100 21/64 33%

90 12/64 19%

70 10/64 15.5%

50 7/64 11%

10 6/64 9%

0 8/64 12.5%

Total 41%

Community Outreach and Education● Maryland Day Feedback

o “You’d be stupid to not patent this.”

o “Where can I buy this?”o “I want one in my office!”o “I specifically came to

Maryland Day to see this [green wall], we couldn’t leave without stopping by your project.”

o “We would love to collaborate with you guys and install these green walls in our school in Sierra Leone to purify the air and grow sustainable produce for the kids.”

Discussion• Misters clogging

• Add filter to watering system

• Homogeneous study of plants on multiple panels• Measure water usage of the wall• Transparent vs. Opaque module• Place wall in a public space

• Survivability• Public interaction

Future Research and Goals:● Patent pending● Estimate a market price per panel● Complete final design construction● Measure air quality with VOC meter● Experiment with edible plants and herbs● Continue monitoring plant maturity and growth● Investigate alternative watering mechanisms