Design Ecology



"In hot climates, the cooling affect of green roofs can improve solar panel performance by up to 35%."
"Vegetative architectural systems can reduce membrane temperatures by 90ºF, reducing energy for cooling by 30%."
"Green roofs capture and slow the flow of rainwater, significantly reducing impact to stormwater conveyance systems."
"Sea levels are predicted to rise twice as fast as was forecast by the United Nations only two years ago."
"Water scarcity occurs even in areas where there is plenty of rainfall or freshwater."
"Cities are facing increasing challenges dealing with infill from rural areas, outdated infrastructure and budget shortfalls."
"82% of the U.S. population live in a city, that number continues to grow."
"An investment of $11.3 billion per year is needed to meet the drinking water and sanitation target of the Millenium Development Goals."
"Natural systems cannot keep up with the speed and intensity of the impacts of development and urbanization."
"735 species of plants and 496 species of animals are listed as threatened or endangered."
"Utilizing technologically enhanced products and strategies, designers can elevate ecosystem function to a rate that enables system processing to meet the needs of the new industrial ecology."
"A fully integrated design approach can result in the building itself becoming an engineered but highly functioning ecosystem component."
"This concept of restorative architecture promotes air handling, water processing, habitat creation, sequestration of carbon, food production, the treatment of toxins and heavy metals, and the production of energy to all occur seamlessly within an integrated building."

living walls

living walls

Ongoing research shows plants remove volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) from the air and improve indoor air quality (IAQ). After searching the world for a modular, customizable, lightweight, reliable living wall system for indoor/outdoor use, we are very happy to provide an integrated design/build/maintain solution in Fytowall. Developed in Australia, this system can be CAD/CAM manufactured to spec, comes complete with high efficiency irrigation, and sports a 7 year warranty. For cases where Fytowall is not suitable, we offer custom solutions designed to meet the needs of your project.

Featured Living Wall Projects
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Hollywood Residence

Design Ecology designed and facilitated the installation of this 30’L x 8’H outdoor, residential living wall via collaboration with partner company, Bertotti Landscaping Inc. Walls were planted and grown out in our Bay Area facility and installed in West Hollywood. Plants used were hardy tropicals well adapted to southern California weather. The wall covers an existing drab, flat wall into a multi-dimensional, colorful and alive surface that helps define an outdoor dining pavilion. We are currently involved in the ongoing maintenance and monitoring of the wall.

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Mixt Greens

Mixt Greens is an organization whose philosophy is inherently rooted in sustainable and equitable business practices. Restaurants are being built in newly renovated buildings with a cradle to cradle design, construction and business model approach. Serving local, organic and healthy meals these entrepreneurs recognized the value in visually conveying a message to their customers about the importance of healthy and sustainable consumption. This edible hydroponic living wall conveys that message and serve as the company brand. They are growing their own produce from seed to be served to customers. The walls act as art pieces attracting customers and media attention. Four of these walls are currently built and provide fresh, year round veggies in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

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West Coast Green

A major demonstration landscape was designed and installed for the largest green conference on the west coast. Living walls were planted with native plants and installed at all main speaker stages. To create a pedestrian link between two large exhibit halls a promenade was defined by a large bamboo structure. Building entrances were punctuated with mature olive trees, native alders, edible plants and recycled colored glass mulch. Green products were showcased including Floating Habitat Islands, Native Grass Sod, Reclaimed Lumber, and Bamboo. The design incorporated biological stormwater mitigation including rain gardens, hanging gardens, and vegetated biofiltration islands for in-situ water treatment. These solutions were presented as a hierarchy of treatment solutions and showcased the potential for the use of synthetic vegetative media to filter a polluted water body. This highly successful installation was covered by ABC News and several blogs including InHabitat.

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110 The Embarcadero

This glass curtain wall office building designed by Caesar Pelli is proposed one block from San Francisco’s Embarcadero. Working with the architect and building engineers, the vegetated “second skin” is designed to shade the building and create a layer of cool air to reduce air conditioning needs. The planters also capture storm water from roof and facade, delivering filtered rain water to basement tanks for use in toilets and for wash water. In summer, the facade plantings are irrigated with graywater to maximize cooling effect without the use of potable water. Wall plantings provide habitat for 7 specific species of native hummingbird and butterfly.

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Design Ecology | 5758 Geary Blvd. #241 San Francisco, CA 94121 | info[at]designecology.com | (415) 233-9186
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