re: 3 research study articles about Green Walls (& Roofs) in Buildings - especially Schools
We recently read three highly academic research pieces that found green walls to have a positive impact on students in schools.
Green walls in schools - The potential well-being benefits - ScienceDirect
This research was published in 2022 and reminds us how much more time students are spending indoors post-pandemic, and makes the case for more green walls in schools.
Introducing more natural elements into the built environment reduces stress and anxiety while improving well-being and mood for students (and staff) in schools (IE - elementary schools in London)
“human beings are instinctively attracted to nature and other forms of life.”
Published in 2020, this article is similar to the one above - finding benefits to outweigh negative traits regarding more greenery (or impervious surfaces - surfaces like grass and green roofs that absorb rain water instead of pushing rainwater into the sewage system) in schools (especially in cities).
See below for two diagrams of impervious surfaces and more environmentally friendly ones:
Frontiers | Implementing Green Walls in Schools (frontiersin.org)
This research from 2018 agrees and adds: “Green walls have the potential to inspire critical thinking”.
Not only are there passive health benefits, it’s an opportunity to teach students about green walls, such as Dutch students in grades 5-7
“The authors have outlined a curriculum involving the implementation of an indoor living wall system within a classroom-learning environment, incorporating project-based learning modules that interact with the wall.” The program is STEAM oriented and explored 3D printing - inspiring the future of the field
PS - When I attended UofT some years ago, a notable a feature on campus was the Exam Centre’s ‘Living Wall’ in the Main Lobby. I was already familiar with the positive impacts for wellbeing from more natural elements indoors, and always looked forward to soaking in the wall while waiting to write my exams:
