Living Walls Case Study - Westfield Shopping Centre

Gone are the days of ugly concrete walls with the launch of the living walls system from SIG Design & Technology– a practical, easy-to-install and easy to manage vertical planting module for the sides of buildings.

The Living Wall System, used to soften the look of London’s new Westfield Shopping Centre, is a ready-to-go modular system with built in watering and drainage.

Produced in partnership with Aldingbourne Nurseries, which pre-grow the modules so they come ready supplied, the vertical planting provides year-round greenery and obvious green creds to a building.

The system can be attached to a wall or vertical structure, each cell is angled and has water flowing through to a water retention fleece. This built-in irrigation system makes sure the plants are looked after day-in, day-out.

Each module is hand planted, so every living wall can be unique to the building it adorns.

SIG D & T trading director, Mike Crook says: “21st century building technology all about sustainability but when it comes to turning plans into reality, clients are looking for a guiding hand.

“We partner clients from inspiration to installation.

“Our designs enable the roof to work harder and all products are tried, tested and guaranteed by SIG D & T, so their combination offers a multitude of efficient and easy green solutions.”

Key facts

Why the Westfield Living Wall?

  • The Westfield Living Wall creates a spectacular effect by both night and day
  • Green innovation was at the forefront of design for London’s largest shopping centre
  • The Westfield Living Wall provides a relaxed and beautiful setting for shopping and dining
  • The Living Wall helps suppress dust and potential noise to help the local community
  • The Living Wall creates a diverse wildlife habitat and welcome shade for all
  • The Living Wall helps cool the Upper Terrace in the summer.

Did you know?

  • Westfield chose a modular pre-grown living wall for instant impact
  • Over 200, 000 plants were used
  • The Living Wall measures 1,250 square meters
  • Over 200, 000 plants were used
  • A total of 5,000 panels were installed
  • There are nine different types of planting
  • There are four or five types of plant in each panel
  • The Living Wall is watered 154 times a year
  • Plants are pruned and liquid fed twice a year – early spring and late summer
Two more living walls are planned for Westfield Shopping Centre.