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Betsy,

Unfortunately, I do not know Patrick Blanc personally, and have no more information other than what has been linked here in this blog, so you’re already a little bit ahead of me.

If do you find out his contact information, please let me know.
Thanks for visiting this site from Down Under!

— Dave Hampton on August 17, 2006

Christiane,

We all want something like that!

Being an architect, someone who makes their living by helping people plan and visualize things before simply doing them and finding the results less than satisfactory, I’d say it’s less about buying and more about taking the time to design first. Finding the right person to design a support, irrigation, and drainage system, as well as selecting plants that are suited for your locale, complimentary, and beautiful is a great project for someone with some training and experience.

Unfortunately, I am sure Mr. Blanc, someone with the ideal interdisciplinary training, much experience, and great results, is very busy.
I could recommend someone if you’re in the Chicago area.

The above is the architect speaking… the do-er in me says study similar projects, how they’re put together, what makes them both appealing and feasible, talk to botanists and garden shop folks, and try something on your own in a place (such as the outdoors first) that won’t ruin your floor, nice sofa, or piano!

Also, see my other post, Construction screen for another interesting vegetated project.

— Dave Hampton on August 18, 2006

Annabel,

Oooo… did you take photos? (*NOTE: See above -Dave, 08/28/06*)

Good luck in New Zealand. I hear it’s green and lovely, and you’ll be making it more so with a vertical garden.

I’ve recently had visitors from Australia, and now New Zealand.
Just curious… how’d you come across the site?
Thanks for visiting, and good luck.

— Dave Hampton on August 23, 2006

Bob,

Thanks so much!

— Dave Hampton on August 30, 2006

Sidonie,

Thanks for your comments and for visiting the website.
Though I don’t know of vertical gardens in my area, the United States is gaining in terms of vegetated roofs, especially in Chicago. This is, of course, only part of the puzzle- the entire site and building (all exposed surfaces!) should be thought of as an integral whole. Landscape and building will hopefully continue to become more seamlessly integrated.

Again, I’m so grateful to receive comments from you and others in the southern hemisphere. When you make it to the U.S., please visit Chicago (and drop by Echo Studio) and encourage your neighbors to do the same - the cool air will make you folks appreciate home!

— Dave Hampton on October 16, 2006

Max,

Thanks for your comments on this blog entry and the site!

Not having seen these installations firsthand, I’d imagine the fabric is some sort of non-biodegradable landscape textile and the soil ‘engineered’ as you might see on green roofs (lightweight, good drainage, etc) backed by an impermeable root barrier to keep roots and moisture out of the building. Maybe the plants are established on the ground and the roots allowed to weave in the fibers of the fabric. Then again, the plants selected are likely naturally good climbers that are used to climbing up far less hospitable environments!
A similar application, a construction screen by Klein Dytham uses pockets of growing media to hold plants.

As far as locating someone to do this and do it well… good luck.
I’m sure Mr. Blanc has no shortage of work.

A good resource in the Chicago area might be my colleague Michael Repkin, an ecological designer with extensive landscape and food production background.

— Dave Hampton on November 1, 2006

Good questions, Dolly.
Unfortunately, aside from what is mentioned in the articles linked here, I have no more information on plant types or liquid nutrients. Regarding the latter, I assume whatever it is can be distributed through the drip irrigation at the tops of the walls.

Can anyone else help?
When I get some time, I suppose I should try contacting Mr. Blanc himself.

By the way, I see his website has been updated!

— Dave Hampton on November 28, 2006

Not nearly as sophisticated as Mr. Blanc’s work, but Naturaire has a vegetated wall system.

— Dave Hampton on April 27, 2007

Anna,

Thanks so much for dropping by!
Good luck with your project.
When you get further along - let me know.
An associate of mine is working on panelized vegetated panels. A prototype was recently installed in a Chicago art gallery (photos coming soon).

Of course, you could just call Mssr. Blanc for a truly custom application!

— Dave Hampton on April 17, 2008