Living Walls & Vertical Gardens Course

Lesson 1 • Ecological Principles Underpinning Green Walls

Covers plant physiology, nutrient cycling, and microclimate interactions relevant to vertical installations. Grounds design choices in biological reality.

Lesson 2 • History and Evolution of Living Walls

Traces vertical greening from ancient hanging gardens to modern modular systems. Provides historical context that frames contemporary design decisions.

Lesson 3 • Benefits and Performance Metrics

Quantifies thermal insulation, air quality, acoustic, and stormwater benefits of living walls. Equips students to build evidence-based project justifications.

Lesson 4 • Industry Roles and Project Stakeholders

Maps the professional landscape including designers, horticulturists, engineers, and clients. Clarifies communication responsibilities across project teams.

Lesson 1 • Wind, Temperature, and Humidity Profiling

Covers anemometer use, thermal imaging, and humidity logging for vertical surface environments. Profiles guide plant hardiness selection and irrigation scheduling.

Lesson 2 • Structural Capacity and Wall Substrate Analysis

Evaluates load-bearing capacity, wall material, and surface condition for mounting suitability. Prevents costly structural failures during and after installation.

Lesson 3 • Solar Radiation and Light Mapping

Teaches measurement and modeling of solar exposure across vertical surfaces throughout the year. Light data directly informs plant palette and system orientation decisions.

Lesson 4 • Water Source and Drainage Assessment

Identifies available water supply, pressure, quality, and drainage pathways at the site. Ensures irrigation system design is matched to real site constraints.

Lesson 1 • Aesthetic Composition and Planting Design

Applies color theory, texture contrast, and seasonal interest principles to vertical planting layouts. Produces visually compelling designs that remain coherent through the year.

Lesson 2 • Sourcing, Specification, and Documentation

Covers nursery sourcing, plant specification writing, and palette documentation standards. Ensures procurement accuracy and traceability across the supply chain.

Lesson 3 • Plant Physiology for Vertical Environments

Examines root architecture, transpiration, and stress responses specific to vertical growing conditions. Builds the biological foundation for informed species selection.

Lesson 4 • Functional Plant Categories

Categorizes plants by growth habit, root type, and maintenance demand for vertical use. Enables designers to balance aesthetics with long-term performance.

Lesson 1 • Anchoring and Fixing Methods

Details mechanical anchor types, chemical fixings, and rail systems for diverse wall substrates. Correct fixing selection prevents structural failure and water ingress.

Lesson 2 • Load Calculation Fundamentals

Calculates dead, live, wind, and seismic loads acting on vertical garden assemblies. Accurate load data is the prerequisite for all structural design decisions.

Lesson 3 • Frame and Support Structure Typologies

Compares steel, aluminum, and composite frame systems by weight, corrosion resistance, and cost. Guides material selection aligned with site conditions and budget.

Lesson 4 • Interior vs. Exterior Structural Considerations

Contrasts structural, thermal, and moisture requirements for indoor and outdoor installations. Prevents design errors caused by applying exterior solutions to interior contexts.

Lesson 1 • Substrate Blending and Specification

Guides formulation of custom blends by adjusting component ratios to meet project-specific criteria. Produces reproducible substrate specifications for procurement and quality control.

Lesson 2 • Organic and Fiber-Based Substrate Components

Covers coir, composted bark, biochar, and felt mats as organic media components for nutrient retention. Organic fractions support microbial activity and long-term fertility.

Lesson 3 • Inorganic and Mineral Substrate Components

Examines perlite, pumice, rockwool, expanded clay, and lava rock as lightweight inorganic media options. Inorganic components provide structural stability and drainage in blended substrates.

Lesson 4 • Substrate Longevity and Replacement Planning

Assesses degradation rates, compaction risk, and replacement intervals for common media types. Enables accurate lifecycle cost modeling and maintenance scheduling.

Lesson 1 • Automation, Controls, and Smart Sensors

Integrates timers, soil moisture sensors, and IoT controllers into automated irrigation programs. Reduces labor costs and improves consistency of water and nutrient delivery.

Lesson 2 • Pump, Reservoir, and Pipe Sizing

Applies flow rate and pressure calculations to size pumps, reservoirs, and pipe diameters accurately. Prevents under- or over-specification that causes system failure or waste.

Lesson 3 • Drip, Mist, and Flood Irrigation Methods

Compares drip emitter, misting nozzle, and flood-and-drain delivery methods by efficiency and plant suitability. Enables selection of the optimal method for each system type.

Lesson 4 • Irrigation Principles for Vertical Systems

Explains gravity, pressure, and capillary action as they apply to water distribution on vertical surfaces. Establishes hydraulic principles that underpin all system design choices.

Lesson 1 • Irrigation System Installation and Testing

Covers pipe routing, emitter placement, pump connection, and pressure testing of the completed system. Verified hydraulic performance before planting prevents post-installation failures.

Lesson 2 • Pre-Installation Planning and Logistics

Covers sequencing, material staging, access planning, and coordination with other trades on site. Effective pre-planning prevents delays and damage during installation.

Lesson 3 • Frame and Panel Installation Procedures

Details step-by-step fixing, leveling, and alignment procedures for frames and modular panels. Precision at this stage ensures uniform plant growth and system longevity.

Lesson 4 • Commissioning, Testing, and Client Handover

Formalizes system performance verification, documentation compilation, and client training at handover. A structured handover protects the installer and empowers the client.

Lesson 1 • Plant Replacement and Renovation Strategies

Guides decisions on spot replacement, zone renovation, and full replanting based on plant health data. Timely renovation maintains aesthetic quality and system performance.

Lesson 2 • Plant Health Diagnostics and Pest Management

Teaches visual diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies, diseases, and pest infestations in vertical plantings. Early accurate diagnosis minimizes plant loss and chemical intervention.

Lesson 3 • Performance Monitoring and Reporting

Establishes KPIs, data logging methods, and reporting formats for ongoing living wall performance. Data-driven reporting supports client retention and continuous improvement.

Lesson 4 • Irrigation System Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Covers emitter flushing, filter cleaning, pump servicing, and fault diagnosis for irrigation systems. Reliable water delivery is the single most critical factor in living wall survival.