About

Mitigating the effects of urbanization requires integrated sustainable practices in buildings and urban space. Incorporating vegetation on buildings has many benefits, including improved biodiversity, air quality, thermal comfort, health, and well-being. Green façade systems (GFS) can help restore a city’s composition for future habitats  - both human and nonhuman.

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The bio-inspired plant pixel prototype is a green facade that possesses low-embodied carbon and is cost-effective. The design, inspired by steep rock walls, promotes movement and versatility in facades. The plant pixel prototype adapts to building facades with a single module of different lengths. The modular square profiles create a unique spatial structure in which the irregularities supply shelter and a microclimate capable of growing numerous plant species.

 

Bio-inspiration has stimulated progress in the fields of biology and engineering, leading to innovative designs. Incorporating bio-inspired green wall designs on buildings provides numerous benefits such as improved biodiversity, air quality, thermal comfort, health, and well-being. A bio-inspired green wall design can help restore a city’s vitality and provide a solution for climate adaptation.

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The Plant Pixel prototype provides designers with a bio-inspired, low-embodied carbon, cost effective green wall. Additionally, Plant Pixel acts as a tool for designers to mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization. Incorporating low-carbon and cost-effective solutions into design practices will contribute to a high-quality sustainable future.

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Maricruz Solera Jimenez, a sustainable architect, created Plant Pixel as part of her doctoral research. The aim of her research was to develop a low embodied carbon and cost-effective green facade - Plant Pixel. The findings of her research revealed that the green facade had a notable impact on urban microclimates during the summer, leading to a reduction of 5.5 degrees Celsius.

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This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 861119.

Email for contact: maricruzsolera@gmail.com