science led green infrastructure
Agenda
Biodiversity and Urban Greening ● Environmental ● Functional ● Architectural and Aesthetic Achieving Biodiversity Goals: Structure, Space and Design Enhanced Market Appeal
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Increased Property Value Planning Success Stories Innovative Space Efficiency
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The Critical Importance of Biodiversity in the Built Environment
Key Factors: Enhancing urban resilience Improving human health and wellbeing Supporting Sustainable Development & Planning gain Essential ecosystem Services Long-Term Ecological Design
Why Living Green Walls?
Creates novel biodiversity enhancements Meets Planning Goals While Maximising Space Increases Leasable & Usable Space Enhances Wellbeing & Mental Health Creates a More Uplifting Urban Experience Supports Sustainable & Future-Proof Design
Environmental policy hierarchy
Environmental Benefits from Nature tool (EBNT)
Biodiversity Net Gain 4.0 (BNG)
Urban Greening Factor (UGF)
National in 2026
National from 2024
Combined authorities (GLA & GMCA)
Biodiversity Net Gain 4.0
10% Minimum increase required on site. LPA’s can set their own additional BNG requirements. BNG is the responsibility of the developer for 30 years. On site enhancement is factored better than offsite. Habitat Management & Monitoring Plan is required from and Ecologist.
Flow chart diagram the BNG approval process
Urban Greening Factor
Focuses on size, quality and diversity of Nature Based Solutions (NBS). Used by Greater London Authority, Greater Manchester Council Authority and soon ⅓ of a site has to contain the highest quality of NBS to pass. Used on top of the BNG requirements.
Diagram of UGF Calculation
Environmental Benefits from Nature tool (EBNT)
Demonstrates the ROI of your NBS design for LPAs. Calculaties wider benefits such as ; - Air quality - Noise - Thermal comfort - Pollinators
- Flood mitigation - Aesthetic values - Education - Sense of place Full release estimated in 2025/2026
Table of outcomes from EBNT assessment
HYVERT sustainability measures in collaboration MMU
reducing air pollution Particulate matter and bioaccumulate heavy metals absorption. 01
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Enhancing Psychological and Physical Well-being Interior and Exterior applications. 03
Improving Energy Performance Improving Energy Performance Urban Heat Island Effect/Biological Skin. 04
Improving Biodiversity
HYVERT quantified as equivalent to native scrubland which outperforms cultivated grasslands or amenity lawns.
noise abatement Species that are better at reducing decibel pitch levels. 05
ethical manufacturing HYVERT modules and blades made from recycled car batteries. 06
rainwater re-utilisation Roof surface water capture and recirculation into irrigation system. 07
effective carbon reduction Absorption of CO2 and NO2 contributing towards carbon reduction programs. 08
HYVERT monitoring and maintenance
HYVERT has the world's first automated green infrastructure monitoring and maintenance software. Utilising machine learning and AI our software enables us to assess the health and performance of our living walls (HYVERT) and living roofs (HYVERT Surface). The software creates optimised maintenance schedules for our HYVERT ‘elevated aftercare’ maintenance teams, ensuring the HYVERT planting scheme stays healthy, looks amazing and meet it’s biodiversity targets.
Flood risk & Water quality client: Bruntwood Sci-Tech, West Village Leeds
type: HYVERT Living Wall Plus
Size: 398 sqm, 36,960 plants
UGF: 0.26 (inc Blue green roof)
Brief: To create a design that paves the way for feel-good spaces, complete with innovative lighting concepts, carefully curated art installations, and a groundbreaking blue-green roof that stores rain and uses it to water the living walls.
Flood risk & Water quality
client: Bruntwood Sci-Tech, West Village Leeds
type: HYVERT Living Wall Plus
Size: 398 sqm, 36,960 plants
Stormwater key figures :
121 Days of Stormwater attenuation
GIS Mapping of site area showing High flood risk potential from local river and surface water
Supports 14.3% of the properties stormwater attenuation
Water quality key figures :
5872 mg of Toxic compounds (Including Lead, Arsenic, Zinc and Cadmium) filtered since installation. Legacy building materials pollute rainwater when it passes over them Integrated Blue / Green roof, sediment tanks and Living wall provides three layers of filtration.
GIS Mapping of the sites Water Quality stewardship requirements
Diagram of integrated Blue / Green Stormwater filtration system
Air quality & Thermal comfort client: Bruntwood, Foundation Altrincham
type: HYVERT Living Wall
Size: 375 sqm, 36,000 plants
UGF: 0.11
Brief: Foundation was an urban regeneration project which aimed to create a new space blending work, hospitality and leisure which in-turn, would actively enhance work life balance and improve the wellbeing of its community. To meet this objective, Foundation specified a 375 sqm biophilic living wall to cover the building’s external façade. Made from 36,000 carefully selected plants, Foundation’s HYVERT living wall will reduce the building’s carbon emissions and create a habitat for over 125 invertebrate wildlife species.
Air quality & Thermal comfort client: Bruntwood, Foundation Altrincham
type: HYVERT Living Wall
Size: 375 sqm, 36,000 plants
Air quality key figures :
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648 kg of CO2 absorbed
12,362 ug of Particulate Matter filtered Filtration occurs best during low wind days (10km/hr) running along a SW aspect
Acoustic benefit key figures :
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Average reduction of 9.3db
Thermal comfort key figures :
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Estimated energy saving of over 37 kWh/m²/Yr
Estimated emissions saving of 17.4 kg/CO2e/m²/Yr
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Embodied & Operational carbon amortization = 6 years
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Phase shift improved by 5.8 hours
Integrated environmental reporting platform for the site.
Thermal assessment of the HYVERT living walls.
Retro fitting Hyvert green walls can be retro fitted to any existing building Hyvert green walls are an amazingly simple way to transform an old tired building into a new green space… Green walls on your existing estate can allow you to create BNG that can be used for new developments.
Foundation - Before
Foundation - After
Biodiversity Enhancements HYVERT Planting designs: Our custom HYVERT bio living wall uses locally sourced native wildflowers and grasses to create a significant biodiversity boost. HYVERT bio key figures: Locally sourced seed mixtures within 200km of the site, helps to boost endangered plant species and create high quality nutrients for wildlife.
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High density of >25 plant species per m2.
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>600 Invertebrates species could potentially be supported from the host plant varieties.
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High novelty habitat can be established.
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Urban seed banks are created for further establishment locally around the site. Mixed annuals, biennials and perennials mean the living wall will be constantly changing over the years.
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Bioacoustic monitoring of Manchester HYVERT living walls
Priority habitat sites of bird species in Manchester
growing now client: Bruntwood SciTech, Greenheys Manchester Science Park Planning: Initially refused - UGF and BNG Issues Contributed Brief: IWP - HYVERT to propose a UGF and BNG solution which could be adapted to fit within the original design concepts of the building with minimal change to the core structure. . Solution: Installation of 1600 sqrm living wall, further 300 square meter living wall will also go inside.
growing now client: Bruntwood SciTech, Greenheys Manchester Science Park
type: HYVERT Living Wall
Size: 1631 sqm, 156,576 plants
UGF: 0.14
Brief: Scheduled for completion in Summer 2026, Greenheys will span 131,000 sq ft across six floors and is already underway with construction commenced onsite. This significant development will redefine the landscape of specialised laboratory spaces tailored for diagnostics, genomics, biotech and precision medicine businesses.
growing now client: Breakthrough Properties, Trinity House ARC Oxford Campus
type: HYVERT Living Wall
size: 1054 sqm, 101,184 plants
UGF: 0.37
brief: Trinity by Breakthrough is a new addition to Oxford’s thriving research community.
Designed to be one of the most sustainable laboratory environments in the world, this amenity-filled building will set a new standard for quality and intentional design with a focus on purpose-built spaces for science.
To learn more about HYVERT…
Call: 0161 928 4546 Email: ruby@iwantplants.co.uk Website: iwantplants.co.uk
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I Want Plants Limited, Coppice Farm Barn, Ashley Mill Lane, Ashley, Cheshire, WA14 3PT References: 1. Public Health England, Estimation of costs to the NHS and social care due to the health impacts of air pollution: summary report 2017. 2. London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory 2019. 3. State of the World’s Birds, AC Lees et al, Annual Review of Environment and Resources 2022.
elevated aftercare
Visual Visits HYVERT Technicians will attend to complete overall Visual maintenance checks on each area of the wall. These will be complete from ground level without any access equipment. All Visual Health Checks include testing of the irrigation system and clearing of any ground level guttering. - Should we update the ai to talk about drones. Elevated aftercare visits Health Check On pre-planned high-level maintenance visits, HYVERT Technicians will touch all areas of the living wall ensuring that all plants are trimmed, cleared of dead leaves and treated for any pests. Any failed specimens are replaced on these visits too. Biodiversity Net Gain HYVERT Technicians are able to prepare annual BNG reports which can be submitted to you ecologists for submission on annual BNG reporting post the delivery of our living walls and surfaces. Ensuring optimal performance on your investments Like any live green infrastructure, a living wall is constantly growing and evolving so regular, attentive after-care is key to ensure it remains in good health. 24/7 Remote Monitoring Aftercare Our systems are market leading in terms of the monitoring that can be carried out off-site. We ensure that the systems are all working correctly 24/7 and will notify the client of any interruptions to the systems or faults which may have occurred. We will endeavour to have these faults remediated within 7 hours.
HYVERT elevated aftercare maintenance schedule
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type of visit
visual
visual
high level high level high level high level high level high level high level high level
visual
visual
visually inspect the living wall
✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
24/7 remote monitoring
✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
check health and moisture of the plants
✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
carry out remedial pruning work where necessary
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
prune in accordance with season
✓
✓
✓
seasonal deadheading of plants
✓
✓
treat for pest and disease
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
seasonal feeding/nutrients added to dosing system
✓ ✓
✓
✓
biological pest control added to dosing system
✓ ✓
✓ ✓
service the irrigation system
✓
✓
✓
check run off outlets for any blockage
✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
replace any failed plants
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
sweep and tidy below wall
✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
health & safety
alcumus safe contractor We’re well accustomed with the adherence of strict industry standards for processes and procedures throughout each phase of our projects and have been Alcumus Safe Contractor accredited since 2020. constructionline gold And following additional professional assessment and increased scrutiny surrounding governance and risk management, we successfully enhanced our specialist contractor credentials further. By obtaining Constructionline Gold membership in September 2023. (PDF copies of our certificates and supporting evidence are available on request.)
fire rating KIWA IFC Group (International fire Consultants) were instructed by I Want Plants Limited to consider the likely reaction to fire performance of the I Want Plants Limited Hyvert® living wall system had it been able to be tested fully in accordance with the relevant testing standard required to classify the system using BS EN 13501: 2018. Based upon the reaction to fire testing conducted and described in Section 3, it has been determined by IFC that, if the I Want Plants Limited Hyvert® living wall system was manufactured, installed and maintained in accordance with the requirements of this engineering Assessment Report, then the following reaction to fire performance would likely be achieved. Testing was carried out at specialist laboratory FULL IFC REPORT CAN BE SUPPLIED ON REQUEST
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