The living wall was formally dedicated Friday, Nov. 9,  during the College of Health Sciences Gala, which drew 600 people to celebrate the opening of the Tower at STAR and glimpse some of the research going on in this unique space. Bancroft Construction Company and Delle Donne & Associates were the builders and developers on the project. The living wall was named for Nash Childs, who graduated from UD in 1976 and served as executive vice president and partner of Bancroft for 28 years. He died in 2015.

The College of Health Sciences worked with New Jersey-based EcoWalls to design and construct the living wall. Sue Barton, a professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, also provided valuable input on the plants for the wall, along with graduate student John Kaszan.

Plants were grown for eight weeks in the company’s greenhouses in Bordentown, New Jersey, then shipped to UD for installation, which took place early in November. Unlike traditional arrangements, these plants grow horizontally, away from the wall, with an inorganic medium used as a substitute for soil to promote plant growth and allow direct access to nutrients and water.

Michael Coraggio, founder and design principal of EcoWalls, said some plants, including spathiphyllum and philodendron, were selected because they can absorb volatile organic compounds and other harmful indoor air contaminants. Others have a soothing fragrance, including hoyas, which smell like chocolate, as well as vanilla orchids.

“We call it biophilic design, integrating nature into the built design. We can’t really describe it, but we want to be near plants. They make us feel more comfortable,” Coraggio said. “One of the things about it being a living piece of art is that it is living and growing as time goes on. You can go in there one day and see massive lipstick plants. Another month, what was green now is scarlet red in bloom and stands out as something completely different.”

Sensitivity to the environment and sustainability loomed large throughout the project, Coraggio said. The wall features a water-efficient irrigation system and sustainable hydroponic technology, resulting in zero waste. The wall can reclaim excess water for treatment and reuse in another watering cycle. Following an acclimation period, plants on the living wall in the atrium at the Tower at STAR need maintenance only once a month, mainly for pruning and checking nutrient levels.

Coraggio said it’s fitting that the Tower at STAR, which has garnered so much attention for its exterior, has an equally impressive interior, thanks in part to the living wall.  

“The STAR Campus represents the future of healthcare and our buildings have been designed to reflect that perspective, including the awareness that health goes well beyond the interactions in a healthcare setting,” Matt said. “Our wall is a living space that invites people to reflect on their own health and how they can improve it.”