GB2571052A

GB2571052A - Inhibiting plant growth

Info

Publication number: GB2571052A
Application number: GB1621981.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hobbs Kevin
Original assignee: Flora Fanatica Ltd
Current assignee: Flora Fanatica Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-22
Filing date: 2016-12-22
Publication date: 2019-08-21
Also published as: GB201621981D0

Abstract

The green wall structure comprises a substantially planar surface 3 for plants to grow up, and a cap 41, extending along a top edge of the planar surface, for inhibiting the growth of plants above the top of the structure. The cap may extend outwardly from the upper edge of the planar surface, may be angled downwardly and maybe removable attached. Also disclosed is a structure for mounting around a window or door to inhibit plant growth over the window. Also disclosed is an energy recovery system comprising a structure mounted to a wall and permitting plants to grow up it to create a wall of vegetation spaced away from the wall to which the structure is mounted, the structure comprising a heat exchanger, having an inlet to receive rising air trapped between the wall to which the structure is mounted and the wall of vegetation, the heat exchanger recovering energy from the heat of the received air.

Description

Inhibiting Plant Growth

Field ofthe invention

The present invention relates to a structure for mounting to a wall and for permitting plants to grow up it to create a wall of vegetation, a structure for mounting around a window or door to inhibit plant growth over the window, and an energy recovery system.

Background to the invention

Ecologically and aesthetically, it is desirable to provide plant growth on and around buildings and other structures. One option to provide a “living wall” is a vertically stacking cell-based design in which individual cells contain soil or other growing material with plants growing within the cell. These are difficult to irrigate and maintain. Another option is to use climbing plants to grow up the side of the building. However, uncontrolled growth of plants can damage buildings, obscure windows and other apertures, and become unsightly. It would therefore be desirable to provide structures capable of controlling plant growth, and also to attain functional advantages from plant growth on and around buildings.

It is against this background that the invention has been devised.

Summary ofthe invention

In a first aspect, the invention provides a structure for mounting to a wall and for permitting plants to grow up it to create a wall of vegetation, the structure comprising:

a substantially planar surface for plants to grow up; and a cap, extending along a top edge ofthe planar surface, for inhibiting the growth of plants above the top of the structure.

The upper edge of the planar surface may be horizontal. Alternatively, the upper edge of the planar surface may comprise first and second angled portions which join at an apex.

The cap may extend outwardly from the upper edge of the planar surface on a side of the planar surface up which plants are to be grown. The cap may comprise a planar part which extends from the upper edge of the planar surface. The planar part may be angled downwardly from a horizontal plane. Alternatively, the cap may comprise a curved part which extends outwardly and upwards from the upper edge of the planar surface to an apex, and then outwardly and downwards.

The cap may be removably attachable to the upper edge of the planar surface.

A solar array or light reflector may be mounted to an upper surface of the cap.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a structure for mounting around a window or door to inhibit plant growth over the window, the structure comprising a surround which extends outwardly from the vicinity of the window on at least 3 sides of the window.

The edges of the surround may be substantially perpendicular to the plane of the window. Alternatively, the edges of the surround may splay outwardly. A bottom edge of the surround may extend downwardly and outwards, a top edge of the surround extend upwardly and outwards, and side edges of the surround extend away from the window and outwards.

In a second aspect, the invention provides an energy recovery system comprising:

a structure mounted to a wall and permitting plants to grow up it to create a wall of vegetation spaced away from the wall to which the structure is mounted, the structure comprising a substantially planar surface for plants to grow up; and a heat exchanger, having an inlet to receive rising air trapped between the wall to which the structure is mounted and the wall of vegetation, the heat exchanger recovering energy from the heat of the received air.

The wall to which the structure is mounted may be the wall of a building, and the heat exchanger may be located on the roof of a building. At least part of the heat exchanger may be hidden behind a parapet wall of the building.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a green wall system for facilitating plant growth up the wall of a building or other structure;

Figure 2 is a schematic drawing of a green wall for use against an apex wall of a building or structure;

Figure 3 is a schematic drawing of a green wall panel with a height limiter at its top edge;

Figure 4 is a schematic drawing of a height limiter;

Figure 5 is a schematic drawing of an alternative height limiter;

Figure 6 is a schematic drawing of a window surround;

Figure 7 is a schematic drawing of an alternative window surround; and

Figure 8 is a schematic drawing of a heat exchanger apparatus.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

Figures 1A and 1B show a green wall system for facilitating plant growth up the wall of a building or other structure. In Figure 1A, a side view is presented in which the structure is mounted to a wall 1 via aluminium uprights 2. A Timber back screen 3 is fixed to the aluminium uprights 2, and plants are able to grow up and onto the screen 3. It will be recognised that there is a gap between the wall 1 and the screen 3. A timber sleeper retaining structure 5 rests on the ground spaced away from the wall 1. A growing medium 4 (for example soil) is provided between the wall 1 and the retaining structure 5. Referring to Figure 1B, a 3D view of Figure 1A is shown, in which the aluminium uprights 2 can be seen to extend down into and through the growing medium 4, to project up into the retaining structure 5 (for example through apertures in the retaining structure 5). In other words, the retaining structure 5 is held in place at predetermined distance from the wall 1 by a bottom part of the aluminium uprights 2. In use, plants are planted in the growing medium and are encouraged to climb up the front side of the screen 3 (that is, the side of the screen 3 facing away from the wall 1), for example using a system of wires, or by way of selecting a plant which is capable of attaching itself to the screen

3. As a result, the plants do not directly contact the wall 1, which could otherwise be damaged. While the screen 3 may be made of wood, other materials are also possible, such as recycled wood plastic composite or other cladding material.

This system can be used on both existing and new buildings to give an improved, softer, appealing appearance as well as a significant increase in thermal insulation during the winter and solar shading during the summer. This is because the air trapped between the plantbearing screen 3 and the wall 1 acts as an insulator. The structure can be modular and can be added to at a later date when required. The weathering and structural integrity of the building is not affected as it does not require elaborate fixings to secure a complex tower of soil filled pockets. Once the system is installed it does not require intensive management or maintenance. Plants may be chosen specifically for their appearance, tolerance to the site location and low dependence on irrigation and maintenance. There is no need for a complicated and expensive system of irrigation pipes to feed each cell.

The system may be used on areas of glazing to reduce solar heat gain (for example conservatories, atriums and glasshouses) or on solid backgrounds (for example masonry, metal cladding, concrete) to provide improved insulation and visual appeal. In addition, with insulated back panels the system can be used to achieved secondary external insulation as a means of enabling existing structures to meet the demands of new building regulations.

The support system can be integrated with rainwater downpipes and even a water reservoir. An” irrigation soaker may be concealed within the trough sides and be simply looped through each unit and back to the reservoir. The soaker may be controlled by means of a simple hydrometer valve, and enables the use of rainwater runoff from buildings.

The system can be installed flush with the ground level (by digging below ground level along the wall to provide a trench for holding the growing material, rather than retaining the growing material behind sleepers) or raised to give a plinth to a building or even used as seating. A grill may be provided on the top surface of the planting area to conceal the plant growing medium and allow the use of a recycled top dressing. A flexible flap may abut against the external wall to prevent plant matter from building up against the elevation or breaching the damp proof course.

Referring to Figure 2 a green wall structure for use against an apex wall of a building or structure is shown. In this case, a retaining structure 21 is provided at the base of a screen 23. The retaining structure 21 contains growing material, into which plants 22 are planted. The plants are able to climb up onto and against the screen 23. The plants 22 can be seen to be both growing in the retaining structure 21, and also climbing the screen 23. The shape of the screen in this case matches an apex wall against which it is to be mounted in a similar manner to Figure 1A (that is, on suitable uprights, with an air gap being formed between the back of the screen 23 and the wall which it is mounted to.

Referring to Figure 3 a green wall panel (screen) 33 with a height limiter 34, or cap, at its top edge is shown. A potential problem with permitting plants to grow up a screen is that they may grow above and over the upper edge of the screen. In the present case this may allow the plants grow back down the rear of the screen 33, blocking the air gap and encroaching on (and potentially damaging) the building behind. In order to inhibit such undesirable growth, a height limiter 34, in the form of a lip or cap projecting outwardly from the screen away from the wall to which the screen 33 is mounted, is provided at and along the upper edge of the screen 33.

Should plants grow up to reach the top of the screen, they will be turned outwardly away from the screen and the building, substantially reducing the likelihood of the plants encroaching on the wall of the building behind the screen 33.

In Figures 4A and 4B, two views of an example height limiter are provided. In Figure 4A, a height limiter 41 is shown to be mounted to (sliding into) the stop of an aluminium extrusion of a screen 43. The screen 43 is mounted to a wall 42. The height limiter 43 comprises a curved part which extends outwardly and upwards from the upper edge of the planar surface to an apex, and then outwardly and downwards. It will be appreciated that the height limiter extends outwardly from the upper edge of the screen on a side of the screen up which plants are to be grown. The cap is removably attachable to the upper edge of the screen, simply sliding into and out of the screen.

In Figure 5, an alternative height limiter, or cap, is shown, in which the cap comprises a planar (rather than curved) part which extends from the upper edge of the planar surface. The planar part is angled downwardly from a horizontal plane. The angle and/or the curve of Figures 4 and 5 prevents, or at least inhibits, plants from growing upwardly beyond the cap. Further, a solar array or light reflector (not shown) may be mounted to an upper surface of the cap.

Referring to Figure 6, a window surround 61 is shown which inhibits plant growth from encroaching over a window 63 or other aperture in a wall. The window surround 61 is mounted to a wall around a window using upright aluminium extrusions 62, although it will be appreciated that the surround 61 could be mounted to the wall directly. The window surround 61 forms a structure which can be mounted around a window or door to inhibit plant growth over the window. The structure comprises a surround which extends outwardly from the vicinity of the window on all sides. It will be appreciated that it may be sufficient for the surround to be on only 3 sides of the window, generally the sides and the bottom, since plants are less likely to grown downwardly over the window. In the example of Figure 6, the edges of the surround are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the window.

Referring to Figures 7A and 7B, an alternative window surround 71 is shown in which the edges of the surround 71 splay outwardly. In particular, a bottom edge of the surround 71 extends downwardly and outwards, a top edge of the surround 71 extends upwardly and outwards, and side edges of the surround 71 extend away from the window and outwards. In Figure 7A, it can be seen that the surround 71 is mounted around a window 73. Where a green wall (screen) such as that shown in Figures 1, 2 or 3 is to be mounted against a wall having a window in it, an aperture is provided in the screen, and the surround 71 is mounted to the screen and around the aperture. Plants 74 can be seen to be growing around the surround 71, but are unable to grow past it to encroach on the window 73 itself.

Referring to Figure 8, a heat exchanger apparatus is shown. As mentioned above, a screen of a green wall can be mounted against a building in a manner in which it is spaced away from the wall of the building. As a result, air 84 trapped between the wall of the building and the screen 851 foliage growing on the screen 85 may become warm, and start to rise towards the top of the screen. A heat exchanger 81 may be provided to recover energy from the hot 10 air. An inlet 83 may be provided near the top of the screen to collect the rising hot air. The heat exchanger 81 itself may be hidden from view behind a parapet wall 82 if available.

Claims

1. A structure for mounting to a wall and for permitting plants to grow up it to create a wall of vegetation, the structure comprising:

a substantially planar surface for plants to grow up; and a cap, extending along a top edge of the planar surface, for inhibiting the growth of plants above the top of the structure.

2. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the upper edge of the planar surface is horizontal.

3. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the upper edge of the planar surface comprises first and second angled portions which join at an apex.

4. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the cap extends outwardly from the upper edge of the planar surface on a side of the planar surface up which plants are to be grown.

5. A structure according to claim 4, wherein the cap comprises a planar part which extends from the upper edge of the planar surface.

6. A structure according to claim 5, wherein the planar part is angled downwardly from a horizontal plane.

7. A structure according to claim 4, wherein the cap comprises a curved part which extends outwardly and upwards from the upper edge of the planar surface to an apex, and then outwardly and downwards.

8. A structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the cap is removably attachable to the upper edge of the planar surface.

9. A structure according to any preceding claim, wherein a solar array or light reflector is mounted to an upper surface of the cap.

10. A structure for mounting around a window or door to inhibit plant growth over the window, the structure comprising a surround which extends outwardly from the vicinity of the window on at least 3 sides of the window.

11. A structure according to claim 10, wherein the edges of the surround are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the window.

12. A structure according to claim 10, wherein the edges of the surround splay outwardly.

13. A structure according to claim 12, wherein a bottom edge of the surround extends downwardly and outwards, a top edge of the surround extends upwardly and outwards, and side edges of the surround extend away from the window and outwards.

14. An energy recovery system comprising:

15. An energy recovery system according to claim 14, wherein the wall to which the structure is mounted is the wall of a building, and the heat exchanger is located on the roof of a building.

16. An energy recovery system according to claim 15, wherein at least part of the heat exchanger is hidden behind a parapet wall of the building.

17. A structure for mounting to a wall and for permitting plants to grow up it to create a wall of vegetation, the structure being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A structure for mounting around a window or door to inhibit plant growth over the window, the structure being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. An energy recovery system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.