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DesignArchitecture Green architecture News
Sad Architecture: A Wall Dies in Islington
2:07 pm Monday Aug 24, 2009 by Kelsey Keith

1209756_DSDHA_Paradise_Park

Paradise no more: Great Britain’s first living wall has died after three years shading the front facade of a DSDHA-designed £1.5 million children’s center north of London. The 30 species of flora growing on the steel mesh casing are now, as Architects Journal reports, just a “host of brown, wilting plants.” If we were the DSDHA principals, we’d put the blame on the landscape architects. Or the fact that trends in England hardly ever last longer than three years (punk, Bridget Jones, Brit Pop).  Read on for before and after shots.

beforehydro

Before: a lush, hydroponic garden “creating a new landscape that inspires and educates.” (Photos: DSHDA)

closeup1209757_DSDHA_Paradise_Children_s

After: dead as a doornail.

Via Architects Journal.

6 comments
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6 Responses

rob • August 24th, 2009 at 7:59 pm

how sad, there is a hotel in Vancouver, BC Canada that is similar, its called the Sylvia Hotel, its beautiful and still "living".

Matt • August 24th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

Seems like a great idea, I wonder why the plants died in the first place? How hard could it be to maintain?

jrc • August 25th, 2009 at 12:09 am

look at the grass… from the looks of it no one has been there in months

OneStonedCrow • August 25th, 2009 at 5:11 am

What a shame … like Matt, I wonder why they were allowed to die?

Simon • August 25th, 2009 at 11:15 am

I wonder if the irrigation system as "value engineered" out of the project?

leo • August 26th, 2009 at 3:07 am

there is a hotel in front of Green Park London that has the same thing. and it is looking great lets see how long it will last…

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