GREEN WALL CLIMBS NEW YORK

The 32,000-square-foot building is set to contain seven custom residences with prices ranging from $5.75 million for a half-floor unit to full-floor apartments that start at $14.8 million. Each unit will be configured with a flexible layout and minimal interior walls. Ando’s signature material palette-concrete, metal and glass will dominate the spaces, with the exterior green wall as the highlight of the exterior. Landscape architecture firm M. Paul Friedberg and Partners collaborated with Ando on the design of the green wall addition to the project.

Upon completion, the wall is expected to be almost 17 metres tall and just over 30 metres wide, and will be planted with a combination of vines, including English Ivy, Boston Ivy, Virginia Creepers, and climbing Hydrangeas as well as Jasmine Clematis.

Widely cultivated as an ornamental plant, the English Ivy species (Hedera helix) is greatly valued for attracting wildlife and for its ability to cool the interior in summer, while providing insulation in winter.

Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) is a particularly good climber for covering large walls with the living structure changing appearance throughout the year and feature different textures and vibrant colours with a magnificent display of foliage colour in autumn.

Virginia Creepers (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is grown as an ornamental plant also boasting a deep red to burgundy autumn foliage. It has the ability to rapidly cover walls and buildings and its shading properties allow it to keep buildings cool in summer while its adhering properties mean it won’t damage a wall it attaches to.

Hardy and easy to grow, Climbing Hydrangeas (Hydrangea petiolaris) are large, heavy vines that need substantial support and feature large, fragrant clusters of white flowers that bloom in late spring and summer against a backdrop of dark green, heart-shaped foliage.

The mixture of these varieties will allow the living structure to change appearance throughout the year and feature different textures and vibrant colours that are aesthetically pleasing just about any time of the year.