GSky-Brochure-2012-Electronic-Distribution.pdf

1GSky Plant Systems Inc.

GSKY ENDEAVORS TO ENRICH PEOPLES LIVES AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT BY INTEGRATING PLANTS INTO SPACES IN WHICH WE LIVE, WORK AND PLAY.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GALLERY PAGES PRO WALL 5 10 VERSA WALL 11 16 BASIC WALL 17 & 18

GREEN WALL SYSTEM DETAILS PRO WALL 21 & 22 VERSA WALL 23 & 24 BASIC WALL 25 & 26 SYSTEMS SELECTION GUIDE 27 APPLICATION CHART 28

THE GSKY METHOD DESIGN 31 & 32 INSTALL 33 & 34 MAINTAIN 35 & 36 Q&A 37 & 38

Our Green Walls are installed

by our growing network of

cer t i f ied contractors. Our

maintenance team services

each wall which are all backed

by our 100% plant guarantee.

GSky Plant Systems, Inc. is

a long established business

with offices in Delray Beach,

Florida and Vancouver, British

Columbia.

Our Green Wall Systems,

engineering knowledge and

plant design capabilities

can be applied to meet

requirements for both exterior

and interior Green Walls.

PROVENPROCESSES

SHOPDRAWINGS

COORDINATION

PLANTDESIGN

GSKYWARRANTY

100% PLANTGUARANTEE

REGULARVISITS

REMOTEMONITORING

CERTIFIEDCONTRACTORS

DESIGN

INSTALL

MAINTAINWe h a v e i n s t a l l a t i o n s

throughout North America

and the Middle East. In 2013,

we will have installations in

Europe, Australia and Asia.

21 GSky Plant Systems, Inc.

GSkys Green Walls are beautiful living works of art. We invite you to browse through a gallery of GSkys current and past projects to fully immerse yourself in the GSky Green Wall experience. Draw your

next inspiration from the intricacy of the designs as we

unfold the beauty of Pro Wall, Versa Wall and Basic Wall.

PRO WALL VERSA WALL BASIC WALL

Gallery


WORTH AVE, PALM BEACH, FL

Our flagship product. Designed to endure the

most challenging exterior environments. High

winds? Check. Wind driven rain? Check. Wide

climate range? Check, check and check.

Pro Wall is the most widely used wall in the

U.S and Canada. With so many successful

installations in place, it's little wonder that it's

the choice of top architects worldwide.

PRO WALL

5 GSky Plant Systems, Inc. 6

E X T E R I O RG R E E N WA L L S

THE RITTENHOUSE HOTEL, PHILADELPHIA, PA YVR AIRPORT, VANCOUVER, BC UPTOWN SHOPPING CENTER, VICTORIA, BC

PRO WALL


LONGWOOD GARDENS, KENNETT SQUARE, PA

E X T E R I O RG R E E N WA L L S

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, MIDDLETOWN, CT WHOLE FOODS, VANCOUVER, BC STARBUCKS, SEATTLE, WA

PRO WALL


VANCOUVER AQUARIUM, VANCOUVER, BC

VERSA WALL

Flexible installation options with a wide

variety of plants make the Versa Green

Wall System suitable for any interior wall.

Our comprehensive Versa Wall System

lets you concentrate on what is most

important, creating a beautifully designed

space for people to enjoy.


PLANO OFFICE BUILDING, DALLAS, TX

12

13GSky Plant Systems, Inc.

I N T E R I O RG R E E N WA L L S

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, WASHINGTON, DC WEST ELM, THE AVENUES, KUWAIT KAL TIRE HEADQUARTERS, VERNON, BC

VERSA WALL


WESTIN GASLAMP QUARTER, SAN DIEGO, CA

I N T E R I O RG R E E N WA L L S

MILL DISTRICT APARTMENT, MINNEAPOLIS, MN EMBASSY SUITES DOWNTOWN, CHICAGO, IL PRIVATE RESIDENCE, BROOKLYN, NY

THE AVENUES MALL, THE AVENUES, KUWAIT

VERSA WALL


17GSky Plant Systems, Inc.

BASIC WALL

Need to cover large areas beautifully and

cost effectively? Basic Wall was designed

specifically for garages and other concrete

eye-sores that just ask to be greened.

Engineered for cold environments, Basic

Wall has a built-in heat trace system to

protect the plant roots throughout the harsh

winter months for a strong spring recovery.

GSky Plant Systems, Inc.

CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINES, COLUMBUS, IN

17 18

With three types of GSky Green Wall Systems to choose from: Pro Wall, Versa Wall and Basic Wall, you can find a Green Wall, suited specifically to your projects' needs. Each system is

unique in its application to ensure optimal performance

of the Green Wall so it will remain beautiful for

years to comewhether it is indoors or outdoors.

PRO WALL VERSA WALL BASIC WALL

System Details


0 100

100100

20 80

80

80

60

60

60 40

40

40

20

200

0

Moisture %

(Liquids)

Air %

(Vap

or)

Soil Particles % (Solids)

Structural Growth Media

Intricate Design Weather Resistant Long Lasting

Made up of stainless steel frames and support systems. Pro Wall is long lasting, and easily disassemble for future reuse or recyle. Easily replaceable growth medium also allows for a wall that can be maintained to last decades.

Pro Wall is designed from the ground up to be weather resistant. It employs a structural, non-eroding growth medium, stainless steel structure and support system, and uses building techniques designed to protect and prolong the building envelope behind it.

Pro Wall can turn your creative vision into a reality. Its ability to accommodate twelve plants per every square foot on the wall allows creativity to thrive by using variations of plant species to highlight color and texture. Custom-tailored logos, letters and numbers can even be intricately designed into a Pro Wall with crisp definition.

RockwoolCoco Fibre


EXCEPTIONAL DESIGN Plan SectionPro Wall requires that

water must be brought

to the wall. One or more

water supply lines must

be run by the plumber

on the project from the

irrigation control unit (ICU)

to the wall itself.

Elevation SectionWater can be captured

below the wall many

different ways. Gutters are

commonly used where a

trench drain, gravel, or

free drain is not practical.

Water supply line from the ICU (by others)

Stainless Steel Trim

Waterproofing (if required)

Poured concrete wall

Pro Wall Frame

SPECIFICATIONS PRO WALL

Description Modular 1'x1' stainless steel panels attached to a stainless steel frame

Suitable Walls Concrete, CMU, wood or metal frame, structural steel

Mounting Pro Wall Frames are mounted directly to the structure and panels are then hung

Pane

ls

Material Stainless steel #304, unfinished (SS304)

Growth Media Either rockwool block or coco fibre block, encased in a non-flammable fabric

Dimensions Standard: 11-7/8"H x 11-7/8"W x 3-1/2"D (300 x 300 x 85) Adj. Height: 6 to 18"H x 11-7/8"W x 3-1/2"D (150 to 450 x 300 x 85) Adj. Width: 11-7/8"H x 6 to 18"W x 3-1/2"D (300 x 150 to 450 x 85)

Fram

es Material Stainless steel #304, unfinished (SS304)

Dimensions FR53: 4' 11-3/4"H x 2' 11-3/4"W x 1-1/2"D (1510 x 905 x 50)

Irrigation

Dripline Pro Wall Dripline, six (6) 0.5GPH emitters / ft, every 2"

Controller Timer, tel. line, temperature and flow sensor, valves, filter, fertilizer injector, regulators

Fittings PEX, copper, PVC & ABS (varies based on scope)

Drainage Free drain, direct to sanitary, recirculating systems are possible but are not 100% efficient

Growth Time Minimum order is 20 weeks with minimum 16 weeks growth of the plants in the panels. Plant installation cannot occur during the cold winter months.

Maintenance Required, 1 year minimum. Maintenance access by lift or ladder must be planned for.

Warranty Panels 10 years, Irrigation 5 years, Plants 100% under GSky Maintenance Contract

Fastener (SS Wedge Anchor)

Pro Wall Dripline

Pro Wall Panel


Pro Wall Dripline

Pro Wall Panel

Fastener (SS Wedge Anchor)

Pro Wall Frame



Flashing

Drain

Drain Dome

Gutter

PRO WALL

PRO WALL IS THE MOST WIDELY INSTALLED GREEN WALL

SOLUTION IN NORTH AMERICA. IT IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO

WITHSTAND THE RIGORS OF THE OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT. PRO

WALL REMAINS BEAUTIFUL FOR YEARS.

FEATURES

Pre-grown system for a minimum of 16 weeks a the nursery before delivery to the site

Can mix evergreen with flowering or deciduous plants to create seasonal flower and color change

Designed for heavy winds & wind-driven rain

Structural growth medium

Framing system designed with architects and building envelope engineers in mind

Stainless steel panels and frames

Fully integrated liquid fertigation system

Remote irrigation monitoring available

GSky maintenance program

BENEFITS

A living work of art

Exceptional design-ability

Creates a design anchor point

Removes toxins from the air

Produces oxygen

Reduces stress

Enhances well being & productivity

Energy savings

Represents your companies' values

Positively affects 27 LEED credits

Dampens noise pollution

THE PINNACLE IN EXTERIOR GREEN WALLS

*PATENT PENDING

4" River Rock Drain Bed

Pro Wall Panel

Various Plants



Waterproofing

Pro Wall Frame

Pro Wall DriplineNew Zone every4 feet of elevation

Pro Wall DriplineEvery 1' x 1 ' panel con ta ins 6 d r ip e m i t t e r s , o n e e m i t t e r e v e r y 2" . Th is ensures that the panel is even l y wa te red throughout and prevents dry spots f rom occu r r i ng o n t h e w a l l .

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY, BURNABY, BC



User-Friendly Neat and Clean Water Efficient

Versa Wall is user-friendly, easy to install and maintain due to the flexibility of 4 industry standard pots that can be placed directly into the Versa Wall tray without any replanting. In addition, Versa Wall remains in season year-round, as plants are interchangeable according to season.

Versa Wall's standard design and installation method is to include tanks directly below or behind the wall to recapture and recirculate every ounce of water that you provide to it. The only water that is used in a Versa Wall is that which is used by the plants or through evaporation, making it 100% water efficient.

Versa Wall

employs an indoor system that is completely self-contained and in great condition at all times. This means no soil spills out of the wall and no water spills forward. Rest assured that the Green Wall will be neat and clean.

VERSATILE & EFFICIENT Plan SectionVersa Wall installations

require plywood backing

and waterproofing before

the trays are installed

o n t h e w a l l . I n n e w

construction, the plywood

can be fastened directly

to the studs. On existing

construction, it's typically

applied over the existing

surface as shown here.

To install corners, minor

demo and rebuilding of

the corners in existing

construction will be required.

Another option is to fur out

one of the adjacent walls.

Elevation SectionVersa Wall is typically

i n s t a l l e d w i t h t h e

recirculation tanks below

the wall, as shown here.

All the water is collected

across the bottom row of

trays and directed back

into the tanks below.

There is a UV filter that

cleans the water within the

tanks to kill any algae. The

water is then recirculated

back into the wall by

the water supply pump.

Lighting is also shown,

wh ich i s requ i red on

most installations. The

type of plants installed

will determine how much

lighting is required.

SPECIFICATIONS VERSA WALL

Description Patent protected tray design that holds and waters industry standard 4" pots on the wall

Suitable Walls Concrete, CMU, wood or metal Frame, structural steel

Mounting 3/4" plywood mounted to the structure

Trays

Material 100% recycled polypropylene

Growth Media Typical nursery growth media

Dimensions 8-Pot Tray: 4-3/4"H x 39-3/8"W x 6-3/8"D (120 x 1000 x 160)3-Pot Tray: 4-3/4"H x 14-3/4"W x 6-3/8"D (120 x 375 x 160)2-Pot Tray: 4-3/4"H x 9-7/8"W x 6-3/8"D (120 x 250 x 160)Corner 3-Pot Tray: 4-3/4"H x 8-1/8"W x 6-3/8"D (120 x 206 x 160) back wall surface dimensions

Irrigation

Dripline Versa Wall Dripline 8-Pot, eight (8) 0.5GPH emitters on a 39-3/8"W PEX pipe lengthVersa Wall Dripline 3-Pot, three (3) 0.5GPH emitters on a 14"W PEX pipe lengthVersa Wall Dripline 2-Pot, two (2) 0.5GPH emitters on a 9-7/8"W PEX pipe length

Controller Timer, tel. or ethernet line, pumps (or valves), filter, regulators, UV filter


Tanks Polyethylene tanks for recirculating all water installed either below or behind the wall

Drainage Free drain or piped directly to sanitary

Growth Time Minimum order is 4 weeks depending on size and plant availability


Warranty Trays 5 years, Irrigation 2 years, Plants 100% under GSky Maintenance Contract

Versa 8-Pot Tray (extends beyond)

Industry Standard 4" Potted Plant

Waterproofing

3/4" Plywood

Wood Frame

Drywall

Overflow Drain to Tray Below

Versa Wall Dripline

Versa Wall 3-Pot Tray

Versa Corner Tray Versa Wood Trim

Water Supply

Versa Wall Wood Trim

Versa Wall Dripline

Versa Wall 8, 3 or 2-Pot Tray

Overflow Drain to Tray Below

Drywall

Wood Frame

3/4" Plywood

Waterproofing

Industry Standard 4" Potted Plant

Removable Veneer Front Panel

Drain pipe directed into Tanks

Recirculation Tank

Water Supply Pump

Levelers

Lighting, min. 5' from plants surface

VERSA WALL

VERSA WALLS ARE PERFECT FOR EVERY INTERIOR GREEN WALL

NEED. THEY CAN BE INSTALLED JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE. VERSA

WALL IS NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL, ECO-FRIENDLY, CUSTOMIZABLE,

DURABLE AND ECONOMICAL. IT IS EASY TO ADD SEASONAL

PLANTINGS AND ACCENTS.

*US PATENT #29,398,308

FEATURES

Quick Installation

Designed to be mounted on plywood attached to your structure

Utilizes industry standard 4" potted plants

Can easily replace plants for seasonal accents

No pre-growth for shorter lead times

Recirculating irrigation system provides 100% water efficiency

Recirculating tanks can be filled by hand or connected to plumbing to auto-fill



BENEFITS

A living work of art

Brings nature indoors to you



Produces oxygen

Reduces stress


Creates a festive atmosphere for the holidays with holiday accents



Dampens noise

AN ELEGANT SOLUTION FOR INTERIORS

Front Cover (removable)

Recirculating Water Tanks

Various Plants

Wood Trim

Waterproofing

Versa Wall Dripline

Versa Wall Trays

Industry Standard 4" Potted Plants

TRADER VIC'S, PORTLAND, OR



Mass Vine Coverage Cost-Effective Water Efficient

Basic Wall is designed for full and efficient coverage of large spaces with greenery. This means ensuring that the vines can actually cover the space you are putting them in. Basic Wall does not require vines to grow above 5' tall, before the next container starts. This is an easy task for vines providing long-term coverage.

Basic Wall is our cost-effective solution for greening sizable walls. Basic Wall is made up of vine container system that safely trains vines over a building faade, which helps achieve a lasting and beautiful coverage an ivy wall can provide.

SIMPLE & BEAUTIFUL Plan SectionBasic Wall requires that

water be available for the

plants at the wall. One

or more water supply

lines must be run by the

plumber on the project

from the irrigation control

unit (ICU) to the wall

itself. Also, electricity to

power the heating trace

in cold climates must be

supplied by others.

Elevation SectionWater can be captured

be l ow t he wa l l many

different ways. Basic Wall,

like Versa Wall, can be

designed to recapture 100%

of the water introduced into

the system for 100% water

efficiency. Other options

are to free drain excess

water, direct it to sanitary,

etc. Drain and irrigation

supply pipes can be run on

the exterior of the building

from the main supplies. If

all control valves are to be

located on the exterior wall,

then an electrical conduit

from the ICU to the wall

must be supplied by others.

Water supply line from the ICU (by others)

Heating Control

Growth Media (Soil)


Heating Wire (runs below)

Wire Channel

Drain bulkhead

GSky Dripline

SPECIFICATIONS BASIC WALL

Description Specially designed container with vine training mesh screen attached

Suitable Walls Concrete, CMU, wood or metal frame, structural steel

Mounting Container mounts directly to the structure or built-out sub-structure

Con

tainers

Material Galvanized steel, naked or poly-coated (aluminum available based on wind-load review)Container contains drainage mat and 1" rigid insulation on all sides

Growth Media Typical green roof growth media

Screen Standard: 5'H x 3'W Custom sizes available, add 6 weeks to order

Container 13"H x 36"L x 11"W

Irrigation

Dripline Basic Wall Dripline, 0.5GPH emitters every 2"

Controller Timer, tel. line, temperature and flow sensor, valves, filter, fertilizer injector, regulators


Drainage Free drain or piped directly to sanitary (100% water efficient recirculation option available)

Growth Time Can be installed with no pre-growth in the Spring and Summer months. Otherwise, minimum order is 20 weeks, up to 1 year for full coverage. Plant installation cannot occur during the cold winter months.


Warranty Containers 10 years, Irrigation 5 years, Plants 100% under GSky Maintenance Contract


Basic Wall Screen

Basic Wall Containers

Vines trained to Basic Wall Screen

Crane Hooks

Basic Wall Containers

Basic Wall Screen

Heating Wire

Horizontal Running Drain Pipe

Water Supply running outside

Vertical Running Drain Pipe

Vine trained to Basic Wall Screen



Water supply from ICU

Fastener (Wedge Anchor)

Basic Wall Dripline

Basic Wall's standard design and installation method is to include tanks to recapture and recirculate every ounce of water that you provide to it. The only water that is used in Basic Wall is that which is used by the plants through evaporation, making it 100% water efficient.

Wedge Anchors

BASIC WALL

BASIC WALLS ARE EXCELLENT FOR ANY EXTERIOR APPLICATION

WHERE A LARGE AREA NEEDS TO BE GREEN. BASIC WALL IS A

MODULAR VINE SYSTEM WITH VINE SCREENS STANDARDIZED AT 5'

HIGH. THIS KEY FEATURE GUARANTEES THAT YOU ACHIEVE FULL

COVERAGE ACROSS YOUR WALL MAKING IT IDEAL FOR SCREENING.

FEATURES

Can be installed in as little as 6 weeks

Pre-grown option provides 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 or full coverage at install (depending on pre-order time)

Built in heat trace wire system to protect roots in very cold climates

Can mix evergreen with flowering or deciduous vines to create seasonal flower and color change

Quick installation

Fully integrated liquid fertigation system

Option for 100% water efficient recirculation



BENEFITS

Mass vine coverage

Cost-effective full wall coverage


Covers concrete eye sores


Produces oxygen

Reduces stress




Dampens noise

CONFIDENT VINE COVERAGE

*PATENT PENDING

Basic Wall Screen

Drain Pipe

Drain Mat

Growth Medium

Vines

Basic Wall Dripline

Basic Wall

Container

SAITAMA ARENA, SAITAMA, JAPAN

APPLICATIONS CHART

SUITABLE FOR INTERIOR AND SEASONAL EXTERIOR SUITABLE INTERIOR ONLY p SUITABLE FOR EXTERIOR ONLY

PLANTS SYSTEM DETAILS IRRIGATION SYSTEM WALL SYSTEMS & WATERPROOFING

WEIGHT (LBS/FT)

MAINTEN-ANCE

GENERAL COMMERCIAL ATTRACTIONS RESIDENTIAL HEALTHCARE MUNICIPAL EDUCA-TION

HOSPITALITY RETAIL

GREEN W

ALL

SYS

TEM

APPLICAT

ION

USDA PLA

NT

HARDINES

S ZONE

PLA

NT SELE

CTION

SPEC

IAL FE

ATURES

PLA

NT COVE

RAGE AT

INSTA

LLAT

ION

COST

ENVIRONMENTA

L BENEFIT

DES

IGN-ABILITY

INSTA

LLAT

ION

TIMELINE

INSTA

LLAT

ION

DETA

ILS

100%

WAT

ER

EFF

ICIENT

TANK

REC

IRCULA

TION

WASTE

WAT

ER

DISPOSED

REMOTE

TIMER

CONTR

OL

FLOW

MONITORING

CONCRETE

, CMU &

MASONRY

STE

EL STU

D &

WOOD FRAME

PEEL AND STICK &

HOT APPLIED SBS

PVC

/ EPDM /

SPRAY

FOAM

INSTA

LLED

FULLY GROWN &

FULLY SAT

URAT

ED

GRADE

(REFE

R TO PG 19-20

)

LEVE

L

ENTR

ANCES

, FOYE

RS,

REC

EPT

IONS

PARKING GARAGES

OFF

ICES

CONFE

RENCE ROOMS

FOOD COURTS

FITN

ESS CENTE

RS &

POOLS

BOTA

NICAL GARDENS,

ZOOS & AQUARIUMS

MUSEUMS &

ART GALL

ERIES

SCIENCE CENTE

RS

AMUSEMENT &

WAT

ER PARKS

STA

DIUMS, C

ONCERT

HALL

S & THEAT

RES

HIGH END SINGLE

FA

MILY HOMES

COURTYARDS &

BALC

ONIES

ROOF GARDENS

WAITING ROOMS

THERAPEUTIC

GARDENS

HALLWAY

S

AIRPORTS

ROADWAY

S

PUBLIC PARKS &

PUBLIC ART

CLA

SSROOMS

CAMPUS

ATTR

ACTIONS

HOTE

L LO

BBIES &

REC

EPT

IONS

SPA

S

RES

TAURANTS

AND CAFE

S

CASINOS

SHOPPING CENTE

RS

& FOOD COURTS

RETA

IL STO

RES

&

DEALE

RSHIPS

SUPERMARKETS

PRO W

ALL

Exterio

r

4 to 11

Examples:

Euonymus, Cotoneaster, Ferns, Junipers, Thymes, Ivies, etc.

Provides a very high level of design-ability making fine lines within design patterns possible.

60 to

80%

$$$

High

Very High

6 to 8 m

onths

Can be installed facing any direction on any building. The primary factors in installation are: preparing for the structural load, and maintenance access.

l 15 30 G1 High p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p

VERSA W

ALL

Interio

r & Sea

sona

l Exterior

Exterio

r Sea

sona

l Only

Examples:

Philodendron, Peace Lilies, Pothos, Schefflera, Ficus, etc.

Pots can easily be swapped out to provide seasonal color changes or to update the design for special events.

70 to

90 %

$$

Mid to

High

High

4 to 10 wee

ks

Can be installed on any interior wall up to 12' without any structural upgrades. The primary factors in installation are: ensuring adequate lighting, and maintenance access.

l l 10 10 G2 Mid

BASIC W

ALL

Exterio

r & Large Open

Interio

rs

3 to 11

Examples:

Jasmine, Ficus, Euonymus, Ivies, Clematis, etc.

Large area low-cost evergreen screening alternative that can have mixed vines to provide flowers and seasonal color interest.

30 to

50%

$

Low to

Mid

Low

4 to 6 m

onths

Can be installed facing any direction on any building. The primary factor in installation are: preparing for the structural load, and maintenance access.

l l 20 30G2toG3

Low p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p

SYSTEMS SELECTION GUIDE

SUITABLE FOR THE CONDITION / MEETS THIS CRITERIA l CAN CONFIGURE TO SUIT THIS CONDITION NOT POSSIBLE / NOT SUITABLE / NOT RECOMMENDED


DESIGN INSTALL MAINTAIN

29

The GSky Method

GSky provides more than just a system, but an all-inclusive Green Wall package to support you from start to finish, offering a peace of mind in each stage of the process from planning to

installation and maintenance. Our years of expertise

and knowledge has allowed us develop proven processes

that guarantee a healthy and successful Green Wall.

Together with GSkys network of certified contractors

and maintenance partners we are making Green Walls

accessible throughout the world.

GSky Plant Systems, Inc. 30


Shop DrawingsCoordinationPlant Design

DESIGN

Planning is key to a successful Green Wall. Clear and complete shop drawings, good coordination

between a l l t rades and consul tants and a

beautiful plant design will result in a successful and

sustainable Green Wall.

Before the design begins, the Owner or Architect

usually presents a concept for the Green Wall. Our

estimation team then determines the feasibility

of that concept in terms of maintenance access,

installation logistics, desired plant types, etc. If

adjustments are necessary they are then made and

a quotation is presented to proceed.

Once the quotation has been accepted by the

Owner, contract signed and deposit made, GSky's

project team begins working on the design.

The design team addresses every thing from

structural load to water supply l ines to plant

design. They also work out installation coordination

schedules, del ivery access, and develop a

maintenance access plan.

A successful installation and maintenance program

means there was good communication during the

design process that resulted in a thorough and well-

planned out Green Wall.

We love them, and were putting them on lots of projects. They truly express the goal of a Green building. Peter Busby

Principal and Director,

Busby, Perkins + Will

01Shop Drawings The entire i nstallation will depend on a well-drawn complete set of shop drawings that will identify every screw.

02

03Plant Design

GSky carries the entire plant design process from concept, to plant selection to arrive at a complete design incorporated into the shop drawings.

PRO WALL PANELS

PRO WALL FRAMES

SHOP DRAWINGS PLANT DESIGN

COORDINATION

Concept Drawings

Plant design begins with a discussion with the Owner/Architect about their design intents. From there concepts with plant ideas are drawn up for their review.

Plant Selection

The selected concept is then refined and then final plant selection occurs. Final plant selection is determined by the availability of the plants and their current size.

Incorporation into the Shop Drawings

A complete set of shop drawings is drafted for every project. Below is one page of a set of drawings for Inspiration Gardens in Burnaby, BC. As you can see, complete details of every screw are identified, no less attention to detail is given to every project.

Owner, Design Architect, Project Architect, Landscape Architect, Building Envelope Engineer, Structural Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Interior Designer, Lighting Designer, General Contractor, Waterproofing Trade, Plumbing Trade, Electrical Trade, Carpentry Trade, Landscape Trade, and depending on the project, the list may go on even further. With this many potential parties involved in a project, the only thing that makes a project successful is good coordination to develop a design that clearly specifies all parties responsibilities in the construction of the Green Wall.

1 2 3 4 5

Coordination There can be up to ten different parties that need to be coordinated to bring an installation together.


Proven ProcessesCertified ContractorsGSky WarrantyINSTALL

Bringing thousands of live plants into a building requires special consideration during

construction. In order to maintain the integrity of

the original Green Wall vision in the final product,

GSky has developed proven processes, a certified

contractor training program and a comprehensive

warranty to ensure that your Green Wall remains

alive, beautiful and vibrant.

GSky's comprehensive set of proven processes

includes a set of key tasks and related sign-off

documents that address: 1) shop drawing and plant

design approval, 2) site readiness to receive plants,

3) substantial completion, 4) the beginning date of

the maintenance program and 5) the maintenance

program terms and conditions. The goal of these

processes is to ensure that we are creating an

environment that can support plants before they

are delivered to the site. GSky's certified contractors

manage this installation process to ensure that all

tasks related to creating a sustainable environment

for the plants are completed before the next phase

of work begins. For example, one task is ensuring

that water is available without interruption before

plants are delivered to the site. With these processes

and documentation in place, GSky is able to offer

our unparalleled materials warranty and 100% plant

guarantee as part of our maintenance program.

The GSky Green Wall has been a tremendous return on investment. Overall the Green Wall has added a lot to the building and enhanced the lobby. Its almost more valuable than a piece of art. Jennifer Rota

General Manager,

Distrikt Hotel

INSTALLATION PHASESSetup

Setup includes material fabrication, plant acquisition, shipping to the nursery, and planting the plants into the panels or containers.

Growth

Growth primarily applies to Pro Wall where pre-growth of the panels is required, and Basic Wall where pre-growth is elective.

Hard Material Install

Hard materials include framing, trim, irrigation equipment, etc, anything required to be in place to keep the plants alive once they arrive.

Plants Install

Plants are only delivered after plumbing &have been installed chance of interruption and after any dusty work has finished.

Maintenance Startup

The transition to maintenance starts with on-site training of the technician that will be maintaining the wall going forward.

PLANNING SCHEDULE

01Week

01Month 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10

02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 21 22 23 24 25 2617 18 19 20 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 4027 28 29 30

Setup delaySetup delay

2 to 8 weeks2 to 8 weeks Design delayDesign delay

Design delayDesign delay

Setup delaySetup delay Seasonal or Other DelaySeasonal or Other DelayDesign delayDesign delay

2 to 6 weeks2 to 6 weeksDesignNominalSchedule

Growth


Setup

Plants Install

Pro Wall

2 to 4 weeks2 to 4 weeks

2 to 4 weeks2 to 4 weeks

16 weeks minimum16 weeks minimum




Setup delaySetup delayDesign delayDesign delay Seasonal or Other DelaySeasonal or Other Delay

2 to 4 weeks2 to 4 weeksDesignNominalSchedule

Growth


Setup

Plants Install

Basic Wall

to 2 weeks to 2 weeks

to 1 week to 1 week

No Pre-Growth to 8 weeks minimumNo Pre-Growth to 8 weeks minimum

NominalSchedule

Versa Wall




Other DelayOther Delay

2 to 6 weeks2 to 6 weeksDesign


Setup

Plants Install

to 2 weeks to 2 weeks

Setup delaySetup delayDesign delayDesign delay to 2 weeks to 2 weeks

How long does it take to install a Green Wall from start to finish? How does it take to grow the plants? What are the potential delays? The below gantt reference chart will help you plan your next Green Wall project.

electrical without01

Proven Processes

Every wall is different, but they all have live plants. GSky's tried and true processes ensure a safe and healthy environment for your investment.

02Certified Contractors Partnerships with good people is the cornerstone of a GSky Green Wall. You can rely on our local and trained contractors.

03GSky Warranty Valve failure? GSky covers all the hard goods and irrigation on the wall by a 10/5 or a 5/2 warranty, see each systems overview page for more details.

100% Plant GuaranteeRegular VisitsRemote Monitoring

Spring StrongGrowthSeason

SummerDroughtSeason

FallGrowthSeason

WinterHibernationSeason

Decreased GrowthIncreased Growth

MAINTAIN

GSky's 3-point maintenance program is the most comprehensive in the industry. GSky requires

maintenance on all of its walls for the first year. Only

through proper maintenance will your Green Wall be

a beautiful and long-lasting piece of art.

The largest challenge with a Green Wall's

maintenance is access. If the wall is going to be

put in a place where it will be difficult or costly

to access on a regular basis, then it won't work.

Proper lifts, ladders or other access systems must

be budgeted for, storage planned for, and training

for technicians provided.

Not only do the plants need maintenance, but the

Green Walls' irrigation, fertigation, water recirculation

and drainage systems require maintenance as well.

GSky's 100% plant guarantee was established to

take the worry out of a Green Wall. Plants live and

die just like all living things, and GSky has it covered.

All of our Green Wall Systems are designed to be

as low-maintenance and require as few visits as

possible. Proper maintenance provides you with a

successful and beautiful Green Wall.

01100% Plant Guarantee GSky's comprehensive maintenance is backed by the only 100% plant guarantee in the industry.

02Regular Visits Every wall is different, but every wall requires regular visits to ensure it looking at its best.

03Remote Monitoring Did the irrigation turn on? GSky has a remote monitoring system, available for some installations

We looked at a variety of different Green Wall Systems for the large-scale Longwood Gardens project... It was an easy decision based on all the [decision] variables. GSky was the clear choice because of the quality of product, repeat clients, senior leadership, technical competence, and competitive pricing.

Stuart Appel

Principle and Director,

Wells Appel

Inspection ItemsFrequency

Grade 1(low)

Grade 2(mid)

Grade 3(high)

Versa Wall

Basic Wall Pro Wall

Immed

iately afte

rInstallatio

n

ServicesCheck water supply

Biweekly visits until construction is completed and the property is open for regular business.

Check lighting (interior) and electrical

Structure Check for physical system damage from trades

Plant Health

Check for physical plant damage from trades

Check for excessive dust accumulation on leaves

Check for transplantation shock

Plants

General Gardening

Check for weeds growing among the plants

Every3-4 weeks

Every2 Weeks

Weekly

Check the plants health and leaf burn

Check for dust accumulation on the leaves

Check for dead plants

Check for signs of disease or pest damage

Check growth medium (soil) for decomposition

Check growth medium (soil) bags for signs of wear

Check for uncontrolled or over-growth

Additional concerns?

Structure

Mainten

ance Trim

Check for signs of damage, water seepage, etc

Check for plant encroachment

Waterproof-ing

Check for water seepage on back side of the wall

Drainag

e an

d Irrig

ation Mainten

ance

DrainageCheck for accumulation of fallen leaves, mud, soil and weeds in the drain

6 times a year

Exterior Walls1-2 times before the first frost,

1-2 times in Spring,2-4 times during the growth season.

If long periods of unexpected drought, heat, or other unusual weather occur,

additional checks should be scheduled.

Interior WallsEvery 2 months

Check for balanced water flow in drain pipes

Irrigation

Automated

Check for blocks or breakage in the supply lines

Check the pump and solenoid valves

Check the filters, PRV's and water temperature

Check the timer, power supply and backup battery

Check the irrigation schedule

Check flow meter values for accurate monitoring (Pro Wall & Basic Wall)

Check thermometers (Pro Wall & Basic Wall)

Man

ual

Is the manual faucet operating correctly?

Is the float valve operating correctly?

INSPECTION CHECKLIST & SCHEDULE GROWTH CYCLEA Green Wall's maintenance requirements vary slightly for every site based upon the site conditions, below is a list of constants for every Green Wall.

Whether inside or out, millions of years of evolution have honed all plants annual growth cycle.


QQ

Q

A

A

A

Structural Load. What type of wall can support the weight of a Green Wall? What about existing walls?

Vegetables and Herbs. Can we grow vegetables and herbs on the wall? What experience have you had with different plants?

Sloped Walls. Can we create a Green Wall that is sloped?

In new construction, concrete or CMU is highly recommended for the Pro Wall and Basic Wall Systems which put a maximum of 30lbs / ft. For our Versa Wall, heavy gauge steel studs must be installed for any installation higher than 12', light gauge studs can support any load below 12'. Any other type of wall will need to be signed off on by the project's structural engineer. On existing walls, depending on age and state, we recommend that a structural engineer view the wall and make a recommendation for fastening and identify the max load the wall should be allowed to bear. GSky has wide experience in attaching Green Walls to various structures, including 100-year-old masonry. Please contact us if you have any questions about the feasibility of your wall's suitability for a Green Wall retrofit.

GSky has had the opportunity to grow various vegetables and herbs on walls with varied success. The first thing to remember about vegetables is that most are annual plants. This means that you'll have to replant them every year or multiple times a year as they are harvested. With herbs, there is a mix of annual and perennial herbs that can be planted. An example of an annual herb is basil and a perennial is rosemary. However, rosemary is not perennial everywhere, only in warmer climates in USDA Zone 9 or above. Therefore, herbs present much the same challenge as vegetables do since they will need to be replanted frequently. Some of the different plants we have used in the past include: cherry tomatoes, various peppers, jalapenos, string beans, cucumbers, eggplant, various lettuces, spinach, strawberries, Swiss chard, basil, mint, cilantro, parsley, dill, sage, thyme, oregano, lavender, citronella, chives, rosemary, stevia, marjoram and tarragon. We recommend that the Versa Wall be used over the Pro Wall and Basic Wall as individual pots can be removed from the wall, planted and then placed into the wall to grow.

GSky's Green Wall Systems have primarily been designed to be installed on 90-degree vertical walls. Installing on a slope is possible, however, the watering system for all Green Wall Systems has been designed to provide water to the plants with them installed at a 90-degree angle. If the Green Wall Systems are placed on an angle, then the water will not travel at a proper angle to reach the roots of the plants. That said, all Green Wall Systems can be installed along a "stepped" wall that will create the illusion of a slope whilst the plants hide the actual structure behind them. Also, the Basic Wall System can have the screens on the front of the containers installed at an angle, which will create a true-sloped surface for the plants to grow up.

QA

Pests, Diseases and Smells. What about pests like flies and millipedes? What if a disease or fungus sets in and creates unpleasant smells?

The key to preventing pests, diseases and any resulting foul smells is good maintenance. Plants are living things, and just like all living things, if you provide them with good nutrition and vitamins, with regular cleaning and manicuring, then their natural immune systems will keep them healthy and keep pests and diseases at bay. However, no matter how healthy a plant is, plants can still be affected by a large introduction of pests or an overwhelming disease at a time when their immune systems are weak, i.e. at winter, just like us. When a disease or pest takes hold in a Green Wall, the key to eliminating it as quickly as possible is to identify and treat it immediately. If treated appropriately and quickly enough, the plants can usually be saved before having to be replaced. However, if they have been so affected that they are creating smells and are not recovering to a point where they are aesthetically pleasing, they will be replaced without delay.

QA

Required Maintenance? Why does GSky require maintenance on all of its Green Walls?

Green Walls are alive. They are a living system comprised of various technologies that are designed to keep the plants alive and thriving. As such, Green Walls need routine care for both the plants and the various systems that keep the plants alive. Plants, just as all living things do, require regular cleaning, grooming and pruning. Plants also need food. In a natural environment, this comes from the soil, microbes and decaying matter that falls around the plants which breaks down as a result of microbial activity, and turns it into nutrients and soil from which the plant can derive sustenance. On a Green Wall, there is no natural rejuvenation cycle for the plants to derive nutrition, so we must introduce nutrients into the system via the irrigation water. Further, plants are susceptible to disease just as we are, and do "catch" something from time to time. During those times, we also introduce "plant antibodies" into the water or apply surface treatments to the leaves to help the plants fight off the disease. This is akin to us catching a cold or the flu and taking aspirin or putting Vicks VapoRub on in order to help us endure until our immune system eradicates it.

How much maintenance is required is based upon what type of plants are in the wall, the quality of the growing environment we have provided for them and how well they have dealt with the initial transplantation from the nursery. At the start of maintenance, more frequent checks are required for the plants while they adapt to their new home. Not all of the plants make it through this process, and those that perish must be replaced straight away otherwise their decaying remains could provide the means for a pest or disease to take hold in the wall.

As you can see, maintenance of a Green Wall is similar to the way we take care of ourselves, only that plants need someone else to do it for them and therefore, maintenance simply isn't an option and is required.

QA

Heavy Winds and Wind Driven Rain (Exterior). Won't the plants and soil fly off? Will the plants higher up dry out where winds are stronger?

Compared to at-grade landscaping, the wind pressures and rain that affects a Green Wall are much stronger. The higher up the wall you go, the stronger the winds become. These winds can cause growth medium (soil) to scatter and blow plants off the wall if not properly secured. The higher the wall the more wind you have and the drier your plants will be as well. Negative pressures coming from behind the wall, whirls and downward wind along the face of the wall must also be taken into account.

To protect against these problems, we employ the following measures:

Pro Wall

Whilst GSky employs these many measures to protect your Green Wall installation against heavy winds and wind driven rain, wind damage can still occur in unusual storm events.

Basic Wall

Employs soil similar to Green Roofs that does not erode easilySoil is covered with lava rock mulchSelect wind resistant plantsInstall independent irrigation zones every 5' in height on the wall

Employs a structural soil block that does not erodeSoil block is encased in UV resistant landscape fabric bagSelect wind resistant plantsInstall independent irrigation zones every 5' in height on the wall

1

2

34

1

2

34

Typical wind patterns Downward wind and whirl

Downward wind

Whirl

Q&AWhen tackling a Green Wall, lots of problems can easily creep up. Below are answers to many of the common issues we have come across in the past to help guide you with your project.

QA

Rainwater and Irrigation (Exterior). Will typical rain provide water for the plants? Can we eliminate irrigation if we're installing in a rainy area?

QA

Leaks (Exterior and Interior). Won't the plants' roots grow into the wall and cause leaks? What about vines causing damage?

A properly designed Green Wall can actually protect a wall from leaks. The primary cause of water encroachment on a building's exterior envelope is the gradual degradation of the envelope itself due to environmental stresses, not root penetration. A Green Wall blocks UV light and moderates temperatures on its supporting wall. As such, a Green Wall actually protects and prolongs the life of the envelope. On the interior, the Versa Wall is installed with a marine grade plywood and peel and stick membrane before the trays and plants are installed. With these barriers, the structural walls itself is very well protected from any potential water encroachment. The Pro Wall and Basic Wall Systems employ a 1-" air gap installed between them and the envelope. This air gap effectively causes roots to be "air pruned" and stay within their provided growth environment before they reach the building. The air gap also allows adequate airflow behind the wall to ensure that relative humidity between the Green Wall and envelope never reaches 100%. Lastly, should vines escape the Basic Wall System and grow on the envelope, the potential for damage is extremely low as the vines would take decades to cause any potential physical damage. As such, these vines would be pruned and removed well before this time.

Irrigation must be employed for every Green Wall; there are no exceptions. Rainwater is not an effective method by which to water a Green Wall. Rain would need to consistently blow at an appropriate angle to hit the wall, and penetrate through the leaf coverage and still fall at an angle to be absorbed into the soil where the roots could make use of the water. However, this is highly unlikely to happen. It is possible, however, to provide water to the wall using rainwater captured in a cistern and then recirculated to the wall. GSky currently waters several wall this way. The most important point in this irrigation scenario is that the filtration system must bring the water up to city water quality levels before it is recirculated back to the Green Wall.


GSKY PLANT SYSTEMS, INC.T: (888) 708-GSKY (4759)

F: (604) 357-1315

[email protected]

www.gsky.com

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Documents

GSky-Brochure-2012-Electronic-Distribution.pdf