Benefits of vertical gardens
Vertical gardens generate numerous public and private benefits.
PUBLIC
There is no doubt that vertical gardens are extremely stylish and act as a major draw.
Using a continuous layer of vegetation in urban settings brings about natural cooling to reduce the heat-island effect in cities.
They improve air quality, producing oxygen and capturing volatile suspended solids.
They cut energy demands, acting as an insulating plant-based envelope for buildings.
Different studies have shown that proximity to greenery enhances people’s quality of life, productivity and improves recovery following operations.
Create biodiversity in urban areas boosting the variety of plants, pollinators and invertebrates and creating habitats and nesting areas for different bird species.
PRIVATE
Economic return due to savings on air-conditioning, as the evapotranspiration of plants and the shade they generate make a building more thermally stable.
They protect the outside structure of a building from thermal fluctuations, UV radiation and rain which can deteriorate it over time.
They enhance indoor air quality, positively impacting people’s lives and work performance.
They reduce noise levels both outside the building by cushioning sound waves and inside it due to the insulation effect.
Plants are highly appreciated by the public at large, driving visibility and acting as an important marketing element.
Vertical gardens with Biofiver
BIOFIVER is a patented system especially designed for the creation of vertical gardens, both indoors 
and outdoors. BIOFIVER is made up of a modular system, with the peculiarity that the front part of the structure is completely full of potting compost so that plant roots will completely develop to encourage natural growth and biofiltration.
BIOFIVER PLANT PURIFYING MODULE
A double 3D structure module made from recycled polypropylene cells. One of the structures is filled with earth or substrate for planting while the other is left empty to generate a clear space for air circulation. A hydrophyllic fabric is positioned between the two layers for rear water distribution.
The outer layer is made from stabilised earth (suspended soil system) enabling roots to grow on the outside and enhancing biofiltration.
The BIOFIVER system uses a drip-irrigation system that enables the whole of the landscaped surface created with the modules to be fed the same amount of water at any point. This means you can easily calculate the amount of water needed for the garden with the subsequent savings on water.
The modular system lets you adapt vertical gardens and green roofs to any surface regardless of size or height. It also enables subsequent modifications to gardens without impacting the rest of the structure.
This module is mainly used to create:
Benefits of the Biofiver system
In addition to the abovementioned benefits, creating a green wall with the Biofiver module has the following benefits:
Fast and easy installation thanks to the fastening strips and hooks, up to 50 sq. metres/day.
Planting on an enriched organic substrate to generate uniform, stable and more natural growth.
Less maintenance than other systems because of this slow growth.
Less dependency on water than hydroponic systems.
Natural biofiltering of volatile pollutants due to the fact that the air circulates behind the plants.
Possibility of customised finishes.
Very easy to adapt to different designs and facilities.
Uniform irrigation distribution through the rear geotextile layer.
Differences between BIOFIVER system and other systems
The BIOFIVER system belongs to the group of non-hydroponic vertical gardens with an organic substrate. The main differences with hydroponic systems are as follows:
LESS dependency on water
The BIOFIVER system consumes an average of 4 litres/day/sq. metre and 90% of consumption is used. With respect to hydroponic systems it consumes around 70% less water and can last for various days without watering.
LESS dependency on fertilisers
The BIOFIVER system barely uses them as it is based on the natural process of obtainment of nutrients that plants need to grow. This natural balance means that plant growth is slower but more stable.
LESS maintenance
Plants using fertilised systems grow faster but must be continuously replaced in order to be controlled. Systems developed on natural substrates maintain a nourishment balance, with well-rounded and controlled plant growth. Pruning is limited to once or twice a year.
LESS OR NO dependency on computerised systems and electronic checks
Because there is no fertiliser, pH or salt concentration checks, the only thing they need is automated irrigation.
Decontamination of the air with BIOFIVER modules
A NASA¹ study found that the rhizosphere (the part of the roots that envelops a plant’s youngest Golgi apparatus) plays an important purification role regarding certain air pollutants.
What is the basis of air decontamination with the BIOFIVER module?
The module permits an extensive exposure of the rhizosphere and the substrate to polluted urban air. Different types of bacteria and microorganisms live in the rhizosphere and extract from the air the substances that favour its development by incorporating them into its metabolism. The products excreted by these bacteria are directly absorbed by plants, which in turn keep the rhizosphere at an ideal degree of humidity and with products they make that are perfect for the development of these microorganisms. It’s a win-win symbiosis for both organisms. Some of the bacteria can remove pollutants like volatile organic compounds from the air.