Leafy ‘green wall’ part of plan to extend Uni building
It Would Cool building in summer and insulate it in the Winter
A GREEN wall forms part of plans to add a single-storey extension to an existing block at one of the University of Derby’s city campuses.
Green walls comprise of pregrown plants installed across a wall face, providing a dense arrangement of greenery that can cool the building in the summer and insulate it in the winter.
The university is planning to include the green wall as part of the development of one of the teaching blocks on its Markeaton Street campus and has submitted a planning application to Derby City Council.
It is looking to expand teaching space and offices to provide areas for self-directed learning and specialist teaching spaces.
The extension will be used by students from across both the college of arts, humanities and education and the college of science and engineering.
The green wall will be created at the corner of the building and will wrap around to the side of the campus which faces towards the city to soften the look of the building. Part of the design statement for the project says: “The proposed extension is intended to be sympathetic to all vistas, facades and be in keeping with existing materials and surface finishes within the area, whil creating a welcoming façade for campus visitors. The addition of a green/garden wall will soften elevations and provide an environmental, ecological point of interest.
“The proposal as designed will have minimal impact on the amenities of the surrounding properties in terms of loss of light, outlook and overlooking, and will not negatively impact on the existing levels of daylight/sunlight of other land users near the site.
“Overall, it is considered the proposal will have a positive impact on the appearance of the campus.”
The Markeaton campus consists of five teaching blocks, was constructed in 2006 and opened in 2007. The block in the application, nearest to Pybus Street, was built to allow expansion to create a third storey and match the rest of the site. The application is expected to be decided on by the planning department at the city council in the next eight to 12 weeks.
Overall, it is considered the proposal will have a positive impact on the appearance of the campus. Designers