The Skainos Centre in east Belfast has been attracting widespread attention because of its impressive environmental features – not least its vertical garden!
Skainos is a community regeneration project developed by the Methodist Church in Ireland’s East Belfast Mission.
The front of the Newtownards Road building, which houses facilities including a nursery, a café and an auditorium, has been covered in no less than 6,500 plants! These include many native plants, such as geraniums, ivy, red berries, spiraea and hedera.
60 bird, bat and insect nesting boxes have also been installed.
It is the only garden of its type in Ireland and the biggest in the UK.
How does one water a vertical garden?! A tank collects rainwater underground, which is pumped up to the third floor and treated with nutrients for the plants. The water is then sprinkled onto the vegetation.
Sensors in the wall are monitored, so that if there is any problem with potential damp in the building it can be dealt with quickly.
The building is heated by means of a biomass boiler with gas backup serving a district heating system. All users are metered for energy use. Solar panels have been installed, ensuring considerable savings on energy costs for all users.
Exposed concrete is used to maximise natural cooling of the building and there is a building management system which controls natural ventilation. There are additional user controls to aid cooling.
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