The challenge of adding 10,900 plants to an urban building in Alicante

Three facades of the Suiters Building in the heart of Spain's Alicante have been transformed with greenery, bringing a host of sustainability benefits. Green facades not only help regulate indoor temperatures but also improve urban living by filtering dust, softening traffic noise, and enhancing overall city aesthetics.

Photo courtesy of SingularGreen

SingularGreen is a Spanish infrastructure solutions company specializing in vertical greening and committed to urban renaturation projects.

In this project, 30 plants per square meter were installed, giving the building a forest-like touch. This was not without its challenges: for example, covering three facades required dealing with three different cardinal orientations (north, east, and south), each affecting plant selection and placement.

Choosing the Right Plants

Alicante is not Singapore and aesthetics were as important as functionality. Plant selection was therefore crucial. To ensure sustainability and adaptability to Alicante’s climate, native plants were chosen as the best fit. After analyzing the region’s ecosystems, a pre-selection of 50 plant species was made. Further studies and trial-and-error testing identified which plants could thrive in a vertical garden setting and adapt to the specific orientations of each facade.

Photo courtesy of SingularGreen

Aesthetic decisions also played a key role. Careful consideration was given to color combinations, spacing between plants, and ensuring each species could grow in harmony over time. Dense vegetation was further enhanced through the use of climber plants.

Maintenance Considerations

From Milan’s vertical forest, we know that maintenance can be a challenge, even when plants are placed on balconies for easier access. How does this work for facade vertical gardens? The key here is using a modular system that provides access to the substrate, making maintenance manageable while keeping the greenery thriving.

Photo courtesy of SingularGreen

Sustainability Benefits

At The Greener Space, we get excited about anything that adds greenery to urban settings, but we are also curious about the measurable sustainability benefits that go beyond the aesthetic appeal.

SingularGreen shared the following estimates from the Suiters vertical garden:

• Indoor temperature reduction by up to 5°C in summer, saving an estimated €500 per square meter per year in energy costs

• Oxygen generation sufficient to cover the needs of 363 people for one year

• Air quality improvement by capturing over 47 kg of dust per year and filtering 242 tons of harmful gases

• CO₂ capture of 22 tons annually

• Noise reduction of up to 10 decibels

• Aesthetic recognition, enhancing the building’s appearance and contributing positively to the cityscape

  
  

Photo courtesy of SingularGreen

The Suiters Building has now become a symbol of urban greening and serves as an inspirational example for future-oriented urban development.

Sources:

• SingularGreen’s Press Release and Suiters Article

• Note: All sustainability benefits are provided by SingularGreen. The Greener Space has not independently verified these claims.