The Ashforth Company unveiled a living wall installed at its headquarters located at their owned property, 707 Summer Street in Stamford, CT. This innovative feature aims to enhance the building’s main lobby space and provide environmental, health, and wellness benefits to the tenants, employees, and visitors.
Designed and installed by Plants à la carte, based in Shelton, CT, the feature wall is an arrangement of 1,330 individual vibrant living plants with eight different varieties which were carefully selected. “Each plant was meticulously chosen based on its ability to thrive in the lobby’s unique lighting and humidity conditions, ensuring a visually stunning and eco-friendly environment,” said Linda Bray, President of Plants a la carte.
The healthy flowing waves of foliage with mixed texture and colors displayed are Philodendron cordatum, ‘Neon Pothos’, Schefflera arboricola ‘Luseanne’, Ficus elastica ‘Burgundy’, Ficus elastica ‘Tineke’, ‘Marble Queen’ Pothos, ‘Janet Craig’ compacta, and Dracaena deremensis ‘Warneckii’. To aid regular maintenance, an irrigation system was installed that self-waters the plants once a week. An automated drip line irrigation system that runs throughout the wall is calibrated to an optimal watering schedule for the plants.
In addition to the aesthetic appeal, the living wall offers a variety of health benefits. It complements Ashforth’s existing initiatives to enhance air quality, including the installation of a bipolar ionization system during the pandemic. “The living wall also can help regulate humidity, which will aid in maintaining optimal comfort levels within the lobby space. Plants restore moisture during the winter as well as release water vapor during the summer, providing a natural cooling effect,” said David Marks, SVP & Director of Operations for Ashforth’s management services division, Albert B. Ashforth, Inc.
The living wall also has many psychological benefits. Exposure to greenery can alleviate stress and enhance cognitive function. Extensive research has shown that the presence of plants in work environments significantly improves performance and productivity. Ashforth’s effort to integrate greenery into their office spaces demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing a conducive healthy environment for all who work in their buildings.
Plants a la carte will also manage a comprehensive maintenance program for Ashforth to ensure the living wall remains vibrant and healthy throughout the year. The skilled team visits twice a month to provide essential care, including clipping plants, inspecting watering systems, and testing moisture levels. Plants a la carte only uses non-toxic methods to ensure a clean and safe environment for both the plants and employees.
