Monday, April 25, 2011

Clingy Wall Garden At Semiahmoo Library

CLINGING TO A SPACE that yearns to be green, the foliage growing in a vertical garden at the Semiahmoo Library and RCMP Facility in South Surrey is off to a healthy start. The idea came to bloom in September of 2010.

Said to be the largest of its kind in North America, the almost 3,000 square foot wall was planned to inhabit some 10,000 plants of over 100 species and includes ground covers, perennials, shrubs and small trees.

This lovely living work of art on a concrete canvas is expected to benefit the environment.

Much more than a pretty façade, it is intended to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and infuse a busy street corner with cleaner air.

The soil free garden is self-sufficient and will obtain water and nutrients from within its own vertical support system rather than the ground below.

Small birds, butterflies and bees will soon buzz around the urban garden.

Its first Spring, the design has evolved into somewhat of a zoological tapestry. At the upper right of the building, I can clearly imagine a tall gray giraffe munching on a menagerie of sprouts gripping the wall.

Explorers can find more sites from around the globe at My World.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

19 comments:

  1. Wow, I never knew this existed. I love it. And I can see your giraffe. Oh, I must get Dick to drive me out so I can see it (and a few people, LOL). Reminds me of an old-growth wall we saw in Madrid.
    Thank you so much for posting this. It's great!
    -- K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  2. Wow - a living tapestry! Amazing!

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  3. Oh, I LOVE this. I wonder how much work is involved in keeping it looking so nice.

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  4. I love it! Its amazing how this is possible without soil! I want to see this in person!

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  5. Oh, I love it! How fantastic! I've never seen anything like it before and it is amazing indeed! Awesome captures for the day! Hope you have a great week!

    Sylvia

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  6. Not quite as tall as the Paris ones, but a better example for what we can try in our own gardens.
    I have just the wall.....

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  7. Wow!! That's really something. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  8. I also had no idea about this wall. What a beautiful idea and stunning post. The photographs have captured the tranquility and colourful beauty of the garden. Bill was just saying the airport has a similar project, but on a much smaller scale.

    P.S. I tried to post on My World, but so far, they have rejected my ridiculously long post:) I'll try again next week.

    P.P.S. The new blogger editor has its charms. If you would like to post your beautiful photographs in larger format, let me know. I may be able to give you some tips.

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  9. great way to preserve the environment. i wish we could have wall garden like this here.

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  10. Beautiful and colorful vertical garden.

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  11. That's the way to live. That is an amazing garden.

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  12. Stunning - what an absolutely gorgeous idea, a living wall. I love it! Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Wow, this is amazing! I’ve never seen wall garden like this. I wonder what magical technology is contained in the concrete as a base for all the plants to sustain their lives. I’m curious how this art will be changing according to plants’ natural progression and how the art will change from season to season. Thank you for sharing.

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  14. This is beautiful, a living mural.

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  15. Lovely idea. I never knew it existed either and it looks so great.

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  16. Living walls are a brilliant idea, and this one is just spectacular! I must go by and have a peek now that it's bursting into spring. I so enjoy the local jewels you uncover and spotlight with such great photos...loved all the close-ups today.

    I too can see a giraffe having a grand time munching on that wall, with antelope around his feet doing the same…to animals it would be an equal opportunity feeding station…LOL!


    Lynette

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  17. It's amazing!! I don't know any similar house here...

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