A Large Atrium Living Wall Installation
In 2016, Life on Walls provided the hardware and irrigation system for a large internal living wall located within the atrium of Cathedral Square in Bristol, working in collaboration with Bright Green Interiors. The goal was to create a dramatic vertical planting feature that would enhance the building’s interior environment while drawing attention to the natural light flooding the space.
The Challenge
The installation spanned a 15-metre-high atrium wall, creating significant structural and technical challenges. The system could only be secured to eight preset mounting points on each side of the wall, limiting the available fixing positions.
At the same time, strict weight restrictions meant that traditional pre-planted living wall systems were not suitable, requiring a lightweight solution capable of supporting a large number of plants while staying within the building’s structural limits.
The Solution
To overcome these constraints, we designed a lightweight framework using pre-engineered Unistrut rails to create three vertical support spines running the full height of the wall.
These spines carried aluminium cascade planting channels, allowing us to distribute the planting evenly across the surface while maintaining structural stability. The design supported more than 3,500 plants while keeping the total system weight below 40 kg per square metre.
An integrated irrigation system ensured consistent watering throughout the installation, supporting plant health across the full height of the atrium.
The Result
The finished living wall creates a sweeping vertical planting design that naturally draws the eye upward toward the skylight above. The lush greenery introduces texture, colour, and a strong biophilic presence within the interior space.
The installation has become a striking centrepiece of the building, and visitors are often surprised to discover that the wall is made entirely of real living plants.
To learn more about our living wall design, engineering, and installation services, contact our team.