Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1533240
M A R C H 2 0 2 5 | 49 Green Roofs & Walls P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y GS K Y P L A N T S YS T EM S , I N C . Weatherill-Silk notes, "Vancouver is lagging in bio- diversity considerations, with too many buildings bypassing green roofs due to weak practices, despite benefits like the reduction in heat island being very significant." Meanwhile, Toronto is preparing to update its building standards in 2025 to better address sustainability and biodiversity needs, which includes green roofs. Architek remains busy with significant projects, including the new St. Paul's Hospital, scheduled to begin construction in spring 2025. "We're using our Eco-Sedum tray system, which stores rainwater and supports biodiversity with wildflower meadow plantings," shares Ryan Vasseur, Architek's manager of living architecture ecosystems. GREEN WALLS In 2024, GSky Plant Systems, Inc. celebrated its 20th anniversary of designing, building, and maintain- ing Living Green Walls globally. Over the years, the company has established itself as a leader in the green infrastructure industry, with its portfolio of Versa, Pro, Vine, and Mobile Living Green Walls to flush outside air into buildings. Our hydroponic biofiltration living walls have been doing this for years, making them an optimal solution for sustain- ability, green design, and future developments." Nedlaw has been involved in several exciting projects recently, including a standout installation for a local bakery manufacturer. "We carefully con- sider all aspects when installing walls, ensuring that air quality and moisture are properly man- aged to avoid any impact on food production," says Binning. "We also incorporated a large LED sign in the middle of the wall to make it truly stand out, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the space." Another notable project is for a local college, where Nedlaw is creating a student lounge area. "The wall will serve as a place where students can relax, socialize, or study after classes. A unique aspect of this project is that, over time, we'll train college staff to maintain the wall, with horticultural students taking on the task. It's not only a great way to provide a relaxing space but also an educational opportunity for students to gain hands-on experi- ence with plant care," Binning adds. New Earth Solutions continues its mission to improve the health of the built environment through a connection to nature. A recent partner- ship with Meridian Credit Union (MCU) brought this vision to life with a stunning living wall at MCU's Toronto headquarters. Spanning six-feet tall by 12-feet wide and featuring over 200 plants, the wall integrates seamlessly with Meridian's brand logo. Beyond aesthetics, the living wall reduces noise pollution and enhances employee well-being by fostering a connection to nature. New Earth Solutions implemented the advanced Respira Pro system, designed for durability, reduced water consumption, and ease of maintenance. Respira Pro is a modular system that has a robust infrastructure to support plant health. This system was chosen in order to reduce water consumption, support continuous plant health, and minimize ongoing maintenance costs. The installation was meticulously planned to minimize disruptions, transforming the space into a vibrant, functional feature. Strategically chosen plant species were introduced to provide year-round colour and texture, while integrated sensors now monitor the system's health and can identify prob- lems before they arise. A found in prominent locations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies. GSky Living Green Walls are irrigated by low flow drip emitters on program- mable controllers and in many situations can be equipped with recycling components to create an extremely efficient low water usage system. Recently, GSky has been involved in several high- profile projects. In West Palm Beach, the company installed a top-floor green wall using its fire-retar- dant Versa Wall SNAP system, featuring six-inch potted plants. GSky has also worked with univer- sities, airports, and commercial spaces, creating sustainable green environments. One notable proj- ect includes an exterior Versa XT green wall at a Volkswagen dealership in Atlanta, where one-gallon plants were used to blend art with sustainability. Over at Nedlaw, one change that the experts have seen is a focus on energy-efficient ventilation. "In the past, ASHR AE encouraged a higher rate of outside air exchange, which was energy-intensive," explains Arjun Binning, client success consultant at Nedlaw. "Recently, ASHR AE has been pushing for systems that recycle indoor air efficiently, reducing the need Exterior Versa XT green wall at a Volkswagen dealership.