Vertical Greening Systems
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FAQ
GUIDE TO FAÇADE GREENING

Here you will find answers to key questions on façade greening, planning, structural requirements, fire protection, technology, maintenance, ESG, as well as costs and economic viability. The content is clearly organised into easy‑to‑navigate thematic sections and is continuously expanded. This ensures you always have access to reliable and well‑grounded information on vertical greening and Vertiko’s greening systems.

Fundamentals of Green Facades

Planning & Interfaces

Structural Engineering & Construction

Fire Safety & Security

Water Management & Technical Systems

Maintenance & Facility Management

ESG & Sustainability

Costs & Economic Efficiency

Fundamentals of Green Facades

What is Façade Greening?

Façade greening refers to the deliberate vegetating of exterior walls using vertical greening systems such as living wall systems, Living Panels, climbing cables or trellis structures. It functions as a climate‑active façade, enhances building performance, improves the microclimate and ESG scores, and creates a sustainable, biodiversity‑promoting building envelope.

Technical Key Points (Fundamentals) of Façade Greening

  • Definition: Technically planned, permanently operated greening of façades using ground‑based or wall‑mounted systems.
  • System types:
  • Objectives: Reduction of urban heat islands, energy savings, rainwater management, improved user comfort and ESG performance.
  • Relevance for planning: Integration into façade planning, structural engineering, irrigation infrastructure, maintenance strategy and fire protection requirements.

Technical Details of Façade Greening

System construction

  • Wall‑mounted systems consist of a substructure, substrate cassettes or textile mats, integrated irrigation and sensor technology (monitoring).
  • Trellis solutions require defined distances from the façade and calculated load assumptions (permanent and variable loads).

Loads

  • LivingWALL PLUS: total weight < 30 kg/m² (fully water‑saturated)
  • LivingPANELS: total weight < 50 kg/m² (fully water‑saturated)
  • Trellis systems: loads depend on plant species and vegetation density.

Irrigation

  • Automated irrigation.
  • Vertiko: bespoke irrigation solutions for each project.
  • Recommendation: sensors for moisture, EC, pH and leakage monitoring.
  • For data centres: specific requirements for leakage protection and redundancy.
  • Automatic fertilisation tailored to each project.

Substrates

  • Structurally stable mineral substrate mixes with high water‑retention capacity and sufficient air‑pore volume.
  • No humus‑rich substrates (decomposition / settlement).

Construction

  • Ventilated installation for moisture regulation.
  • Fire protection separations according to system approval; vegetation breaks across fire compartments.

Monitoring

  • Digital operational monitoring for irrigation, flow rates, fertiliser management and fault detection.

Typical risks

  • Structural challenges
  • Insufficient fertiliser and irrigation management
  • Incorrect plant selection (exposure: south‑west vs. north‑facing façades)
  • Inadequate consideration of maintenance access
  • Missing fire safety separations

Building‑Type‑Specific Considerations for Façade Greening

  • Data centre: High requirements for leakage protection; climate‑active façade to reduce thermal loads.
  • Logistics facility: Large‑scale trellis systems for ESG optimisation and certification.
  • School: Educationally valuable biodiversity façade, low emissions, robust plant species.
  • Hospital: Part of a health‑promoting, nature‑based architectural approach with improved air quality.
  • Office building: Climate‑active façade to reduce cooling demand.
  • Residential building: Focus on summer thermal protection and user comfort; fine dust capture.

Practical Recommendations for Developers / Architects / Main Contractors

  • Integrate complete façade‑greening design (structural engineering, building services, fire protection, drainage) as early as work stages 1–3.
  • Always select RAL‑certified façade greening systems with verified fire‑safety details.
  • Ensure façade‑greening maintenance is contractually included as part of building operation (2–4 services per year).
  • For optimal ROI, integrate monitoring and efficient irrigation control.
  • Clarify building‑type‑specific requirements early (e.g., data centre: redundant irrigation protection).

Summary – What Is Façade Greening?

  • Façade greening = technically designed, permanently operated vertical (partly horizontal) vegetation on buildings.
  • Systems: living wall systems, Living Panels, trellis systems.
  • Benefits: climate‑active façade, ESG enhancement, energy savings.
  • Key aspects: irrigation, fire safety, load‑bearing capacity, maintenance.
  • Suitable for offices, residential buildings, schools, logistics facilities, hospitals and data centres.

Do you have questions about your project or require professional guidance on façade greening? Feel free to contact us.

What is the difference between a LivingWALL and a traditional façade greening system?

A LivingWALL is a full‑surface, ventilated, wall‑mounted greening system with integrated irrigation, pre‑cultivated plants and a defined substrate structure.
Traditional façade greening is primarily based on ground‑rooted climbing plants and requires only minimal technology, low maintenance and low investment costs.

Key Technical Points (Fundamentals – System Comparison)

LivingWALL PLUS / LivingPANELS

  • Ventilated, wall‑mounted vertical greening with active irrigation.
  • Instant greenery via fleece‑substrate systems or pre‑cultivated modules.
  • Precise control of growth, moisture and nutrients.
  • Higher CapEx/OpEx, but greater functional stability and a strong architectural impact.

Traditional façade greening (e.g. Vertiko ClimbingBASE)

  • Ground‑rooted climbing plants on trellises.
  • Lower system loads; very low maintenance and operating costs.
  • Longer development period until full coverage.
  • Strongly dependent on location, soil conditions and plant selection.

Technical Details

LivingWALL – technical characteristics

  • LivingWALL PLUS system structure: substructure, fleece‑substrate system, plants
  • LivingPANELS system structure: substructure, pre‑cultivated LivingPANELS
  • Irrigation: automatically controlled, seasonally adjusted; coordinated nutrient dosing; optional monitoring.
  • Loads:
    LivingWALL PLUS < 30 kg/m² (water‑saturated)
    LivingPANELS < 50 kg/m² (water‑saturated)
  • Plant types: perennials, grasses, semi‑shrubs, small woody species.
  • Risks: irrigation failure, insufficient maintenance, lack of drainage.

Traditional systems – technical characteristics

  • Trellis / cable systems (steel/aluminium), anchored in the load‑bearing structure or ventilated façade.
  • Approx. 1 m³ rootable soil volume per climbing plant.
  • Very low additional loads (typically 15–40 kg/m² incl. trellis, depending on plant class).
  • Minimal technical components → very low failure risk.

Building‑Type‑Specific Considerations

Data centres & logistics facilities

  • LivingWALL PLUS, LivingPANELS: controllable, climate‑active façade (evaporative cooling).
  • Traditional: robust, cost‑efficient, low maintenance.

Office and residential buildings

  • LivingWALL, LivingPANELS: representative, densely planted green façade, enhanced biodiversity.
  • Traditional: low‑cost long‑term solution for ESG credits.

Schools & hospitals

  • LivingWALL PLUS, LivingPANELS: controlled system suitable for healing architecture, fast visual impact.
  • Traditional: low‑maintenance, ideal for large areas.

Practical Recommendations

Decision criteria

  • Budget approx. €900–1,200/m² → LivingWALL PLUS
  • Immediate full greenery → LivingWALL PLUS / LivingPANELS
  • Minimal maintenance → traditional greening
  • Complex geometries → LivingWALL PLUS
  • Optimised life‑cycle costs → traditional greening

Avoid planning errors

  • Integrate additional system loads early in the structural design.
  • Provide irrigation connection and drainage.
  • Ensure maintenance access.
  • Coordinate fire‑safety concept (especially for LivingWALL systems).

Summary

  • LivingWALL PLUS = fully technical vertical greening with irrigation, pre‑cultivated plants and higher investment.
  • Traditional greening = ground‑rooted climbing plants, minimal technology, low costs.
  • LivingWALL PLUS offers instant coverage, climate benefits and biodiversity, but with higher maintenance demands.
  • Traditional systems excel in life‑cycle costs and robustness.
  • Both systems are suitable for ESG and climate‑active façades.

Do you have questions about your project or require professional guidance on façade greening? Feel free to contact us.

Why Façade Greening?

Façade greening creates a climate‑active façade, improves energy efficiency and enhances both the ecological and economic value of buildings. It functions as a technical performance layer, increases user comfort and supports ESG objectives in both new builds and existing properties.

Key Technical Points (Fundamentals of Façade Greening)

  • Ecological function: Microclimate improvement through evaporative cooling, fine‑dust capture, creation of a biodiversity façade, and contribution to rainwater management and runoff reduction.
  • Building performance: Reduced façade and ambient temperatures, moderate energy savings through shading and additional insulation effects; acoustic dampening depending on system design.
  • Planning & systems: Choice between trellis systems (ClimbingBASE) and wall‑mounted systems (LivingWALL PLUS, LivingPANELS) depending on architecture, structural capacity, maintenance and CapEx/OpEx.
  • Economics: Extended lifespan of the building envelope and potential ROI through energy savings and value appreciation of climate‑active façades.
  • ESG & certification: Relevant credits for DGNB, LEED and BREEAM (microclimate, ecological quality, rainwater management, biodiversity).

Technical Details

System structure:

  • Trellis system: lightweight, climber‑based vertical greening.
  • Living Panels: modular, pre‑cultivated elements.
  • Living Wall System: full‑surface, actively irrigated planting mats and substrate modules.

Loads (Vertiko systems)

  • LivingWALL: total weight < 35 kg/m² (water‑saturated)
  • LivingPANELS: total weight < 50 kg/m² (water‑saturated)
  • Trellis systems: loads vary depending on plant species, growth pattern and vegetation density (typically very low additional loads on the substructure). Load transfer into system‑integrated prefabricated foundations.

Both Vertiko systems are among the lightest living wall solutions on the market, significantly simplifying structural integration in both existing and new buildings.

Irrigation:

  • Automated irrigation and fertilisation systems; essential for sustainable function and service life of façade greening.

Substrates:

  • Lightweight, mineral, structurally stable substrates or fleece/module substrates; long‑term nutrient stability is critical.

Construction:

  • Ventilation gap, corrosion‑resistant fixings, defined spacing profiles.

Monitoring:

  • Sensors for moisture, nutrients, flow; ideal for reducing OpEx.

Risks / typical errors:

  • Insufficient irrigation, unclear interfaces with MEP systems, inadequate root protection, missing fire‑safety compartmentation.

Building‑Type‑Specific Considerations

  • Data centre: Reduction of solar heat gain, improved cooling system efficiency, climate‑active façade for thermal stability.
  • Logistics facility: Enhanced ESG profile, ecological logistics property, large‑scale trellis systems as cost‑efficient solution.
  • Schools: Microclimate improvement in schoolyards, educational value, green school buildings.
  • Hospital: Part of a health‑promoting, nature‑based architectural approach with improved air quality.
  • Residential buildings: Noise reduction, microclimate benefits in dense urban areas.
  • Office buildings: Energy savings, attractive climate‑active façade for tenant retention.
  • General: Increase in biodiversity.

Practical Recommendations for Developers / Architects / Main Contractors

  • Early integration in work stages 1–3, especially interfaces with structural engineering, fire protection and MEP.
  • Clear distinction between CapEx (system) and OpEx (maintenance of façade greening).
  • For actively irrigated systems: accessible maintenance and service points, plus monitoring for early fault detection. Depending on building type: additional safety measures such as leakage sensors, shut‑off valves or segmented irrigation circuits.
  • Fire protection: compliance with horizontal fire barriers and use of non‑combustible carrier materials.
  • Economic viability: façade greening ROI through energy savings, the premium value of a green building envelope and extended façade lifespan.

Summary – Why Façade Greening?

  • Façade greening improves energy efficiency, microclimate (evaporative cooling), air quality and ecological building performance.
  • Additional benefits: acoustic dampening depending on system, rainwater retention, and promotion of urban biodiversity.
  • Choice between trellis systems, LivingPANELS and LivingWALL depending on budget and objectives.
  • Irrigation, loads and fire‑safety compartmentation are key planning factors.
  • Significant advantages for data centres, offices, schools, hospitals and logistics facilities.
  • Early planning + professional monitoring = maximum service life of façade greening.

Do you have questions about your project or require professional guidance on façade greening? Feel free to contact us.

Which façades can be greened?

Both trellis-based systems such as the Vertiko ClimbingBASE and ventilated rainscreen façade systems (VRF) such as the Vertiko LivingWALL PLUS and LivingPANELS can be used on almost all façade types. Key considerations are load-bearing capacity, the façade build-up, load transfer, moisture protection, and the requirements for ecological impact, maintenance, and technical integration.

Which system is right for your building?                                                                               

With the Vertiko System Finder, you can immediately determine the right greening system for your project based on building type, greening form, greening height, growth form and anchoring base.

Key Technical Points

  • Trellises are suitable for solid façades, ETICS, timber construction and certain metal façades with adapted fastenings.
  • Ventilated façade systems can be safely installed on all solid façades; external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS), timber constructions and lightweight façades are possible, but require clear structural and building physics concepts.
  • The choice of system depends on ecological objectives, visual requirements, maintenance strategy and budget.

Technical Details Trellis systems (e.g. Vertiko ClimbingBASE)

Suitable façade types

  • Solid external walls (brick, concrete, calcium silicate): very well suited; high load-bearing capacity, straightforward fixing.
  • ETICS (external thermal insulation composite systems): possible using approved specialist fixings, minimised point loads, and stand-off brackets/spacers.
  • Timber façades / timber frame construction: possible with careful load distribution and corrosion-resistant fixings.
  • Metal façades / sandwich panels: suitable only in certain cases; load-bearing capacity and fixing points must be assessed in detail.

Typical application criteria

  • Use with lightweight climbing plants up to load class 4, provided sufficient stand-off distance from the wall.
  • Very low additional loads; in most cases structurally uncritical.
  • Cost-effective, low-maintenance, and particularly well suited to retrofitted greening projects.

Advantages

  • Simple installation without a complex façade build-up
  • Low costs
  • Microclimate benefits (shading, cooling)
  • Hardly any technical complexity

Technical Details Ventilated façade systems (Vertiko LivingWALL PLUS, LivingPANELS)

Suitable façade types

  • Solid façades (concrete, calcium silicate, brick): ideal; high load reserves for modules and rails.
  • ETICS façades (external thermal insulation composite systems): feasible and straightforward, provided the load-bearing wall behind can take the loads.
  • Timber construction / timber frame façades: feasible with a substructure. Vertiko Living systems are sealed as standard towards the ventilated cavity and do not require a dedicated moisture protection concept.
  • Metal cassettes / lightweight façades: only after precise assessment; often achievable via a separate substructure.

Typical application criteria

  • Systems with substrate, integrated irrigation, sensors, and a ventilated cavity layer.
  • Higher loads (modules, vegetation, water).
  • Ideal for biodiversity, evapotranspiration, and climate-active façades with high ecological impact.

Advantages

  • Maximum ecological performance (5–10× more vegetation volume than trellis systems).
  • Works even on full-sun, heavily heat-loaded façades.
  • Modular design: reliable planning, durable, and easy to maintain.

Limitations

  • Higher weight → structural verification is mandatory.
  • Higher capital and operating costs.
  • Requires irrigation, a water connection, and regular maintenance.

Building-type specific considerations

  • Data centres: Ventilated façade systemsfor thermal relief and controlled moisture management.
  • Logistics buildings: large façade areas → trellis systems are often the most economical option.
  • Schools / hospitals: consider fire safety and hygiene requirements.
  • Office & residential buildings: a combination of trellis (cost-effective) and ventilated façade systems(representative, climate-active) is common.

Practical recommendations

  • Clarify load-bearing capacity, fixing points, and interfaces early.
  • Integrate irrigation, water connection, and building services (MEP) early in the design.
  • For ventilated façade systems : a structural concept is essential.
  • Define maintenance access (fixed access systems, scaffold, MEWP).
  • Adapt plant selection to system type, orientation, and microclimate.

Summary – Which façades can be greened?

  • Trellis systems such as Vertiko ClimbingBASE: suitable for almost all façades; cost-effective; low structural impact.
  • Ventilated rainscreen façade systems such as Vertiko LivingWALL PLUS and LivingPANELS: for maximum ecological performance and demanding architecture.
  • ETICS, timber and lightweight façades are feasible only with defined/approved fixing systems.
  • System choice depends on loads, irrigation, ecological targets, and budget.
  • Living walls deliver maximum biodiversity and evapotranspiration performance.

Do you have questions about your project or require professional guidance on façade greening? Feel free to contact us.

Planning & Interfaces

Which service phases does Vertiko GmbH cover?

Vertiko covers all planning and technical services required for façade greening systems. This includes conceptual design, structural engineering, plant design, system production and delivery. Installation and maintenance are predominantly carried out by partner companies.

Technical Key Points (Planning & Interfaces)

Vertiko focuses on the complete technical development and system‑level planning of façade greening and vertical greening solutions. The services include:

  • Façade greening planning
    Development of preliminary design, concept design and detailed design, including all necessary technical specifications.
  • Interface provision (no active coordination)
    Vertiko primarily interfaces with the client and provides detailed technical requirements for architecture, façade engineering and MEP services – particularly regarding irrigation, connection points, load transfer and integration into the façade structure.
  • Structural engineering and fixing concept
    Determination of load assumptions, definition of fixing points and integration of Living Panels or Living Wall systems into new or existing façades.
  • Planting design
    Selection of suitable species, biodiversity concepts, location‑specific plant compositions and seasonal performance.
  • System manufacturing / configuration / delivery
    Production of all modules, Living Panels, substrates and technical components for the façade greening system.

Installation & Maintenance

  • Installation is carried out by Vertiko only in exceptional cases.
  • Maintenance and servicing are predominantly provided by Vertiko or certified partner companies.

Practical recommendations for developers / architects / general contractors

  • Clarify loads, fixing points and irrigation routes at an early project stage.
  • Ensure coordination between façade engineering, MEP and landscape architecture during RIBA Stages 2–4 (equivalent to LP3–5).
  • Prioritise system selection based on durability and maintenance requirements.
  • Define contractually who is responsible for installation and maintenance (partner company vs. in‑house delivery).
  • Plan monitoring and maintenance from the outset to secure long‑term ROI.

Summary – Vertiko Service Phases

  • Vertiko covers the core planning and engineering services for façade greening: planning, structural design, planting design, system production and delivery.
  • Installation and maintenance are carried out by Vertiko or partner companies.
  • Early coordination of interfaces with façade engineering, architecture and MEP services is essential.

Do you have questions about your project or require professional guidance on façade greening? Feel free to contact us.

Which information does Vertiko require for planning?

Vertiko requires complete technical project information for the planning of façade greening – both for the ventilated, wall‑mounted living‑wall systems such as Vertiko LivingWALL PLUS or LivingPANELS and for trellis systems such as Vertiko ClimbingBASE. This includes data on the façade, load reserves, water and power supply, fixing zones and fire‑safety requirements. These details enable safe and economically sound system selection.

Key Technical Points (Fundamentals of Façade Greening)

  • Clarification of the target image: design, shading, cooling, biodiversity
  • Decision between living systems and trellis systems
  • Site and façade influences: orientation, wind, microclimate
  • Requirements for maintenance, access and available FM resources

Key Technical Points (Planning & Interfaces)

Practical Recommendations for Developers / Architects / Main Contractors

  • Integrate façade greening (LivingWALL PLUS, LivingPANELS + ClimbingBASE) starting at work stages 2–3.
  • Clarify fixing zones, substructure and façade build‑up early.
  • Coordinate irrigation routing jointly with MEP engineering.
  • Align plant selection with site conditions, orientation and desired maintenance intensity.
  • Fire‑safety requirements differ by system type: living wall ≠ trellis system.
  • Define a maintenance and monitoring concept already during planning.

Summary – Which Information does Vertiko require for planning?

  • Vertiko requires complete façade and infrastructure information.
  • Fixing, loads and wind suction must be checked at an early stage.
  •  Fire‑safety requirements influence both system choice and plant selection.
  • Trellis systems such as ClimbingBASE require less technology but precise coordination of fixing and planting areas.
  • A coordinated irrigation and FM concept is essential.

Do you have questions about your project or require professional guidance on façade greening? Feel free to contact us.

How does façade greening protect the façade?

Façade greening protects the building envelope by keeping UV radiation, temperature peaks, precipitation and dirt away from the external wall. Through the climate-active, vertical greening, thermal and mechanical stresses are significantly reduced, which has a positive effect on the façade’s lifespan and prevents material fatigue.

Key Technical Points

  • Protection against UV-related ageing through complete shading provided by the vertical greening.
  • Reduction of heat and cold extremes through shading and evaporative cooling; lower thermal stress on render/plaster systems and insulation layers.
  • Damping of wind, rain, hail and dirt loads.
  • Filtration of fine particulate matter and pollutants, resulting in less façade soiling.
  • Reduced accessibility of wall surfaces → natural anti-graffiti protection.

Technical Details

Vertiko LivingWALL PLUS and LivingPANELS provide the same structural protection as the Vertiko ClimbingBASE trellis system:

  • A rear-ventilated installation plane protects the original façade.
  • A permanently ventilated cavity is created between the greening and the wall.
  • This prevents moisture build-up, as rainwater dries more quickly and no persistent damp accumulates on the wall.
  • The original façade is reliably protected against driving rain, moisture and UV radiation.
  • The air-circulating cavity also acts as a thermal buffer, reducing temperature peaks and minimising material stresses.

Risks / Sources of error

Direct greening without rear ventilation on damaged façades; lack of maintenance; inadequate irrigation planning.

Practical recommendations for building owners, architects and main contractors

  • Coordinate interfaces early (façade, building services (MEP), structural engineering, drainage).
  • Minimum requirements: an intact building envelope, clear load transfer, defined fixing points.
  • Always choose a rear-ventilated construction.
  • Plan irrigation as a dedicated MEP system.
  • Contractually define annual maintenance (pruning/vegetation cut-back, system inspection, irrigation).
  • Fire safety: consider plant selection, fire breaks and mineral substrates.

Summary – How does façade greening protect the façade?

  • Façade greening protects against UV radiation, heat, cold and precipitation.
  • Living wall systems reduce soiling and material fatigue, particularly by mitigating thermal cycling, UV ageing and moisture cycles that would otherwise lead to microcracks, embrittlement or spalling/flaking.
  • Green façades can reduce noise and make graffiti more difficult.
  • The resulting reduction in thermal stress has a positive effect on the service life of the building envelope.
  • Planning: rear ventilation, irrigation, structural engineering and maintenance are the key interfaces.

Do you have questions about your project, or do you need technical advice on façade greening? Please feel free to contact us.

Structural Engineering & Construction

What loads does a Living Wall (Vertiko LivingWALL PLUS) place on the façade?

A living wall primarily places permanent loads from self-weight and water saturation on the façade, along with additional actions from wind and, where applicable, snow. The Vertiko LivingWALL PLUS has a total weight of under 30 kg/m² in the water-saturated state; load transfer is achieved via the substructure into the load-bearing wall.

Key Technical Points

The following loads are relevant to the planning process:

  • Self-weight of the planting layer, including carrier elements, substrate or plant modules, vegetation, and water
  • Water saturation following irrigation or precipitation, as this may increase the governing design weight
  • Wind loads acting on the ventilated rainscreen façade plane
  • Snow loads, where structurally and building-physically relevant
  • Fixing and tensile forces within the substructure and anchorage fixing

The living wall is designed as a ventilated rainscreen façade greening. This ensures that loads are not carried by the planting layer alone, but are safely transferred via the substructure into the load-bearing structural element.

Technical Details LivingWALL PLUS

  • System design: Wall-bound planting with substructure and façade modules
  • System weight: Under 30 kg/m² in the water-saturated state
  • Load transfer: Via fixing points and substructure into the load-bearing wall
  • Verifications: Structural design for permanent and variable loads required
  • Planning relevance: Assessment of wall construction, fixing spacings, anchorage fixing capacity, and the influence of irrigation

Practical Recommendations

For clients, architects, and main contractors, the LivingWALL PLUS should be integrated into structural and façade planning at an early stage. Key considerations include:

  • Structural verification of the wall and fixings
  • Allowance for the water-saturated state
  • Coordination with façade planning and fire protection
  • Assessment of wind loading at the specific building
  • Definition of maintenance and irrigation interfaces

Summary: Loads of a Living Wall on the Façade

  • Living walls generate primarily self-weight, wind, and where applicable, snow loads
  • The Vertiko LivingWALL PLUS has a water-saturated system weight of under 30 kg/m²
  • Load transfer is achieved via the substructure into the load-bearing wall
  • Permanent and variable loads must be verified by structural calculation
  • Early coordination with the structural and façade design is essential

Please note: For project-specific structural calculations and planning documentation, we recommend coordinating directly with our team. Feel free to get in touch.

Fire Safety & Security

What is Façade Greening?

What is the difference between a LivingWALL and a traditional façade greening system?

Why Façade Greening?

Which façades can be greened?

Water Management & Technical Systems

How does the LivingSYSTEMS irrigation system work?

The irrigation of the LivingWALL PLUS and the LivingPANELS is carried out via an automated drip-irrigation system with pressure-compensating drip lines and central control technology. The system operates as an open system with a continuous supply of fresh water, system separation in accordance with DIN EN 1717, and automatic drainage for winter operation.

Irrigation system in detail

Drip irrigation

  • Pressure-compensating drip lines with 15 cm emitter spacing
  • Flow rate: 1.6 l/h per emitter for even water distribution
  • Minimum water pressure of 2.5 bar required at the highest façade handover point
  • System-side 3/8″ male-thread connection for mains-water supply

Open irrigation system

  • Continuous mains-water supply without water recycling
  • Excess water is drained via a DN50 emergency overflow
  • Demand-based irrigation with optimal water distribution

Technical system components

Separation station and pump unit

  • Separation station in accordance with DIN EN 1717 (Category 5) for potable-water protection
  • Integrated pump in the header tank
  • Pre-assembled control cabinet for control, fertilisation and sensors
  • 230 V / 16 A power connection required

Automatic fertilisation and control

  • Micro-injection pump for fully automatic fertiliser dosing
  • Adjustable to suit water quality and water hardness
  • Stock-solution tank with level sensor
  • Fertiliser dosing pump head with pulse and power LED indication

Sensors and remote monitoring

  • Temperature sensors for frost-protection monitoring
  • Flow meter for consumption monitoring
  • Wi-Fi or LAN connection for remote monitoring
  • Integrated fault detection and automatic alarm notification

Winter operation and frost protection

  • Winter mode with automatic changeover
  • Automatic drainage of pipework after each irrigation cycle
  • Temperature monitoring for frost-free irrigation
  • Drain valve for complete system drainage

Building-type-specific applications

Data centre / climate-active façade

  • Continuous remote monitoring for 24/7 operational reliability
  • Automatic winter mode prevents frost damage to the façade greening system
  • Modular upgradeability for growing requirements

Office buildings / residential buildings

  • Remote maintenance for consumption reporting and cost transparency
  • Low-noise pump unit integrated in the control cabinet
  • Demand-based irrigation reduces water consumption

Logistics warehouse / industrial buildings

  • Robust separation station in accordance with DIN EN 1717 for industrial applications
  • Remote monitoring system minimises maintenance effort

Practical recommendations for clients / architects / main contractors

Design stage

  • Ensure sufficient water pressure: at least 2.5 bar at the highest point
  • Allow for a drainage connection: DN50 for emergency overflow and drainage
  • Provide a power supply: 230 V / 16 A for control and pump, separately protected; if using a redundant pump system, allow for two power supplies if required
  • Provide network connectivity: Wi-Fi/LAN for remote monitoring

Installation and commissioning

  • Install the separation station in accordance with DIN EN 1717 by a competent contractor
  • Carry out a functional test of the winter mode prior to commissioning
  • Prepare the stock solution and calibrate the fertiliser dosing
  • Check the drip lines for correct operation by flushing the lines

Maintenance and operation

  • Two maintenance visits per year for the irrigation system
  • Autumn: winterise the system by activating winter mode
  • Spring: recommissioning with functional checks of all components
  • Keep a maintenance log to document all work carried out

Maintenance cycles

At each maintenance visit (twice per year)

  • Clean the filters in the header tank and control cabinet
  • Check fittings for leaks and inspect electrical connections
  • Flush the drip lines via the flushing taps

Annual maintenance

  • Replace seals in the union nuts
  • Fully clean the header tank

3-year interval

  • Replace all solenoid valves
  • Replace the fertiliser dosing pump head for optimum performance
  • Replace the controller battery to ensure uninterrupted operation

5-year interval

  • Replace the main pump in the header tank

Summary: irrigation LivingWALL PLUS and LivingPANELS

  • Drip irrigation with a flow rate of 1.6 l/h and 15 cm emitter spacing for even water distribution
  • Open system with continuous mains-water supply and automatic discharge of excess water
  • Separation station in accordance with DIN EN 1717 ensures potable-water protection for the façade greening system
  • Automatic winter mode with automatic drainage prevents frost damage to the vertical greening system
  • Remote monitoring and automatic fertilisation enable low-maintenance operation of the LivingWALL

Do you have questions about your project or require professional guidance on façade greening? Feel free to contact us.

Maintenance & Facility Management

How often does a façade greening system need to be maintained?

LivingWALL systems require regular maintenance intervals: monthly checks, seasonal adjustments and annual component inspections.

Maintenance is carried out on three levels: regular filter and pump cleaning, seasonal winterisation and de-winterisation, and scheduled component replacement in 1–5 year cycles.

Maintenance intervals for LivingWALL PLUS and LivingPANELS irrigation systems

At each maintenance visit:

  • Filters & pumps: cleaning of the header tank and control-cabinet filters
  • Irrigation pipework: functional check and flushing of the drip lines
  • Electrical components: solenoid valves, fertiliser dosing pump, level sensor
  • Leak test: all fittings and connections

Seasonal maintenance – façade greening

Autumn winterisation

  • Activate winter mode
  • Dilute the stock solution
  • Complete pipework cleaning

Spring recommissioning

  • Activate summer mode
  • Functional test of the solenoid valves
  • Prepare a new nutrient solution

Interval-based maintenance

  • 1 year: seal replacement, header-tank cleaning
  • 3 years: solenoid valves + dosing pump head + battery replacement
  • 5 years: main pump replacement

Practical recommendations for facility managers

  • Documentation requirement: keep a maintenance logbook (recommended to reduce liability exposure)
  • Preventive maintenance: reduces failure/downtime costs by 60–80%
  • Seasonal preparation: avoid frost damage through correct winterisation
  • Professional maintenance: system complexity requires specialist personnel

Maintenance overview: LivingWALL PLUS and LivingPANELS

  • Regular: check filters, pumps and pipework
  • Seasonal: winterisation / de-winterisation of the LivingWALL system
  • Annual: maintenance of seals and tanks
  • Every 3–5 years: replacement of main components
  • Documentation: maintenance logbook legally required

Do you have any questions about maintenance and care, or would you like expert advice on your façade greening project? If so, please feel free to contact us.

What happens in the event of plant loss in façade greening?

In the event of plant loss in façade greening LivingWALL PLUS and LivingPANELS, replanting is a key maintenance measure. Plant damage and failures are systematically documented and compensated for through professional replanting and substrate replacement.

Immediate measures in the event of plant loss

Documentation and analysis

The maintenance contractor documents all plant damage/failures and their causes on a quarterly basis. This documentation includes:

  • Extent of plant loss
  • Cause analysis (water shortage, diseases, mechanical damage)
  • Countermeasures and treatment strategies

Regular vitality checks

Regular visual inspections of plant vitality help to identify plant losses at an early stage. The inspection intervals are adjusted as required to match the greening system’s stage of development.

Technical measures

Replanting as the standard procedure

Replanting is explicitly defined as a maintenance measure. It is carried out by trained specialists with the relevant plant and technical expertise.

Substrate management

In addition to replanting, substrate is replaced to create optimum growing conditions for new plants.

Irrigation adjustment

Irrigation is adjusted as required to ensure the vitality of newly planted vegetation. The automated irrigation system plays a key role in the long-term maintenance of plant vitality.

Fire-safety relevance

Immediate removal of dead plant material

Dead plant material (i.e. dead wood) must be removed as part of regular maintenance, as it increases the fire load. The greater the amount of dead plant material, the higher the fire load.

Maintaining vitality as a fire-safety measure

Long-term plant vitality must be ensured through irrigation and fertilisation, as the moisture content of living plant material has a fire-retarding effect.

Practical recommendations for clients / architects / main contractors

Appoint a professional maintenance contractor

  • Use only trained specialists with plant and technical expertise
  • Ensure consistent site support by the same personnel
  • Request evidence of staff qualifications

Establish a monitoring system

  • Install and operate a remote maintenance system
  • Quarterly substrate sampling for nutrient monitoring
  • Documentation of all maintenance activities and failures

Preventive measures

  • Automated irrigation system for cost-effective operation
  • Regular maintenance of the irrigation system
  • Demand-based control of water and nutrient supply

Summary: 5 key points in the event of plant loss

  • Immediate replanting by qualified specialists, including substrate replacement
  • Systematic documentation of all failures and causes (quarterly)
  • Fire-safety-compliant removal of dead plant material
  • Irrigation optimisation to maintain the vitality of new planting
  • Preventive monitoring for early detection of plant damage

Do you have any questions about maintenance and care, or would you like expert advice on your façade greening project? If so, please feel free to contact us.

How is maintenance access provided for façade greening systems?

Maintenance access for façade greening systems is primarily provided via mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) up to a height of 23 metres. Work up to a height of 2.3 metres can be carried out from ground level, while higher areas can only be accessed using certified MEWPs.

Access concept for LivingWALL systems

External MEWP maintenance zone

The access and safety concept for vertical greening covers all maintenance work carried out externally using MEWPs. This applies in particular to complete façade sections where set-up areas for MEWPs are available.

Height zoning of maintenance access

  • Near-ground zone (up to 2.3 m): maintenance measures can be carried out directly from ground level
  • Higher areas (2.3 m to 23 m): accessible only with mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs)
  • Complete façade maintenance: depending on the MEWP type, it may be possible to maintain the entire front façade using a single MEWP

Technical details of maintenance access

Recommended MEWP types

Primary recommendation: articulated telescopic boom lift for optimal façade access

Available systems:

  • Vertical lifts: scissor lift, vertical mast lift
  • Boom lifts: telescopic boom lift, articulated telescopic boom lift
  • Truck-mounted platform

Functional differences: boom lifts can move the platform basket not only vertically but also horizontally.

Set-up area requirements

The set-up areas for mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) must be planned and provided for the respective façade sections. The following can be used:

  • Existing fire service access routes
  • Specifically designated temporary exclusion/closure areas for the MEWP
  • Ground surfaces must be load-bearing and capable of taking the imposed loads

Safety requirements

Normative basis: DIN EN 280 “Mobile elevating work platforms” specifies safety requirements relating to design, construction type and testing.

Legal obligations:

  • MEWPs must be inspected by the maintenance contractor prior to use
  • Only instructed or authorised employees in accordance with the German Industrial Safety Ordinance (BetrSichV) may operate them
  • CE marking and an EC Declaration of Conformity are required

Specific maintenance activities using MEWPs

Plant maintenance

1–2 maintenance visits per year for façade greening via the maintenance access routes:

  • Promoting and supporting vegetation development
  • Clearing back and preventing overgrowth of adjacent building elements
  • Removing dead wood, shoots and foliage (fire protection)
  • Professional pruning of the underplanting
  • Replanting and substrate replacement

Irrigation system maintenance

Twice-yearly general functional testing and visual leak inspection via the maintenance access routes:

  • Checking seals, fittings and threaded connections
  • Inspecting pumps (corrosion damage)
  • Filter and nozzle-head inspection

Practical recommendations for clients / architects / main contractors

Design stage

  • Allow for set-up areas at an early stage: consider MEWP access already during the design phase
  • Define façade sections: maintenance-friendly zoning of the greened façade areas
  • Develop a height concept: clear delineation between ground-access and MEWP-access zones

Installation phase

  • Qualified personnel: all MEWP operators must have completed training in accordance with DGUV 308-008
  • Secure the work area: temporary exclusion/closure zones around MEWPs are mandatory
  • Risk assessment: take DGUV Rule 100-500 and DGUV Principle 308-008 into account

Operational phase

  • Install a remote maintenance system: for regular technical monitoring
  • Fortnightly visual inspections during the first years with regard to growth development and vitality
  • Quarterly documentation of all maintenance activities, including the aids/equipment used

Summary: maintenance access

  • MEWPs are the standard solution for maintaining façade greening systems up to a height of 23 m
  • Articulated telescopic boom lifts are ideal for maintaining LivingWALL and LivingPANELS
  • Set-up areas must be integrated into the design/planning
  • Qualified personnel is mandatory in accordance with DGUV requirements
  • Regular documentation of all maintenance access arrangements is required

Do you have any questions about maintenance and care, or would you like expert advice on your façade greening project? If so, please feel free to contact us.

ESG & Sustainability

What is Façade Greening?

What is the difference between a LivingWALL and a traditional façade greening system?

Why Façade Greening?

Which façades can be greened?

Costs & Economic Efficiency

What is Façade Greening?

What is the difference between a LivingWALL and a traditional façade greening system?

Why Façade Greening?

Which façades can be greened?