SAN FRANCISCO—At the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, LiveWall announced that the LiveWall green wall system can contribute to projects earning points toward 10 or more LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits. LiveWall, the planted wall system that transforms ordinary walls into vertical green landscapes,is the result of four years of research and development by the same dedicated team of horticultural scientists, landscape professionals, architects, roofing specialists and green building experts who created LiveRoof, the refined green roof system proven to be superior in more than 700 installations.

LEED, from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is a green building rating system and certification program that encourages and accelerates adoption of sustainable green building and development practices. The LEED categories and credits which can be influenced by LiveWall include:

• Sustainable Sites: Stormwater Design (SS 6.1, SS 6.2) and Heat Island Effect (SS 7.1)
• Water Efficiency: Water-Efficient Landscaping (WE 1) and Innovative Waste Water Technologies (WE 2)
• Energy and Atmosphere: Optimize Energy Performance (EA 1)
• Materials and Resources: Recycled Content (MR 4.1, MR 4.2) and Regional Materials (MR 5.1, 5.2)

LiveWall living wall installations may also contribute to Innovation in Design credits. Depending on geographic location, Regional Priority Credits may be available as well. Detailed information is available on the LiveWall web site: LiveWall and LEED.

“LiveWall is the planted wall system engineered to be attractive, simple to install, easy to maintain and change—and, above all, healthy for plants,” says Dave MacKenzie, horticulturalist and president of Hortech and its LiveWall, LLC and LiveRoof, LLC subsidiaries.

The green wall system’s planter modules slide into the innovative RainRail mounting tracks, which secure them in place and incorporate hidden conduits and built-in nozzles for integrated mist irrigation. The modules, manufactured in recycled architectural grade plastic, are 6 in. deep and 5 in. wide, and are available in 8- and 16-in. lengths. They are available in multiple colors, including beige, cool gray, wheat, cedar, sage and salsa.

LiveWall also comes in a two-sided, mobile version on wheels, LiveScreen, which MacKenzie describes as “a practical, portable option to green up porches, patios and decks. LiveScreen can be used to grow colorful flowers, ornamental plants and herbs and vegetables.”