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NSCC designs, builds, plants innovative "living wall"
May 12, 2010 – Media Release
Dartmouth, NS – A living, breathing example of innovation is growing at Nova Scotia Community College's (NSCC) Centre for the Built Environment at the Waterfront Campus in Dartmouth.
Earlier today, NSCC president Dr. Joan McArthur-Blair helped students complete the first, permanent, exterior "living wall" east of Vancouver. "This living wall demonstrates the capacity of the Centre for the Built Environment to help Nova Scotians study the renewable energy and green technologies that are essential to our sustainable future," said Dr. McArthur-Blair.
Living walls combine the natural and built environments. They filter the air, create habitats and add vitality to a building's design. In 2007, Centre for the Built Environment architects, Barrie & Langille, hired Sue Sirrs, owner of Outside! Planning and Design Studio, to study the feasibility of an exterior living wall that would thrive in a cold climate. Horticulture students and faculty from NSCC's Kingstec Campus in Kentville helped to plan then design and build the living wall.
"I visited other living walls around the world and not a single existing structure would do the job here," said Ms. Sirrs. "Over two years, we tested five planting systems using 85 different plant species. We ended with a completely made-in-Nova Scotia solution that we will continue to learn from as it grows."
"This remarkable project brought together and tested all of the knowledge and experience I've gathered over many years about design, soils, climate, irrigation systems and the plants themselves," said Tim Amos, faculty with NSCC's Horticulture program.
The 7,000 plants that make up NSCC's living wall offer a variety of colours, textures, flowers and berries, providing a living piece of art that will change with the seasons.
"I helped propagate the very first plants for this project when it was still just an idea and now, here we are, seeing it come to life," said Roelof van der Merwe, a second-year horticulture student. "It's amazing."
About NSCC
NSCC is a vibrant post-secondary institution committed to building Nova Scotia's economy and quality of life through education and innovation. NSCC offers over 100 programs in five academic schools that reflect the labour market needs and opportunities of the provincial economy, and serves the province through a network of 13 campuses. According to NSCC's most recent survey of graduates (2009), 86 per cent of NSCC graduates are employed; 83 per cent in their field of study.
For More Information
Kathleen Cameron
NSCC
Communications Specialist
(902) 491-4899
Stacey Baillie
NSCC
Director, Communications
(902) 491-6781
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