Green wall integration
To create more relaxing, therapeutic environments, it is important to include access to and views of nature, daylight, and fresh air as it can reduce anxiety, ease depression, support cognitive function, and aid in healing. Green walls are a popular design feature used to enhance the rooftop experience through biophilic design. Woven metal walls provide the ideal substrate for climbing plants or rooftop gardening. The highly durable material is resistant to the natural elements, supports watering, plant maintenance, and maintains an attractive design when plants are out of season.
A sustainable option
Most weaves are engineered using stainless steel containing post-industrial and post-consumer recycled content for a low-embodied carbon footprint that can contribute to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) points. Its strength and durability translate to a long product life cycle—it is unlikely the installation will require replacement over the course of the building’s life cycle unless a design change is desired. Should the metal fabric panel be removed, the material can also be easily recycled and reused in some cases as well.
As more and more rooftops are developed into valuable building amenities, people will grow to expect an upscale, comfortable, safe environment where they can gather, dine, and live life together. Metal fabric, with its many performance and esthetic benefits, has the potential to play a large role in making those environments meet these expectations.
Notes
1 Read more on urbanization. University of Michigan Center for Sustainable Systems, U.S. Cities Factsheet.
2 Learn more about the effects of noise. Harvard Medicine, “The Effects of Noise on Health” (2022): hms.harvard.edu/magazine/viral-world/effects-noise-health.
Author
Dale Payne, P.E., serves as chief engineer for GKD-USA, a leader in metal fabrics for architectural applications based in Cambridge, MD. He supports the GKD sales, estimating, and production departments in developing new applications, as well as completing and supporting all architectural projects. Payne, who holds a professional engineering license for the State of Maryland, earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park and his associate’s degree in engineering technology from Chesapeake College.
