Manila hotel unveils new vertical garden

Monday, 18 June 2012 9:26 AM

The Dunsit Thani Manila Hotel in the Philippines has unveiled its new vertical garden, a five piece eight meter high green wall which aims to impact both the hotel’s atmosphere at the environment.

This is the first time a vertical garden has been created in the Philippines, which is part of the US$20 million dollar renovation of the Dunsit Thani Manila and was inspired by designer Patrick Blanc.

Having been awarded a Silver certification this year (2012) by EarthCheck, a globally renowned organization that grades environmental standards, the Dusit Thani Manila has continued its green initiatives by using the same technology as the green living wall system which has been certified by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

The vertical garden features round gold coin stones found at the core of the black granite frames, a Thai influenced artefact that heralds prosperity. The artwork also uses variations of species of plants, sizes of leaves, and colours, to form a tapestry that has now become a therapeutic attraction to hotel guests and passers-by.

Designer of the Dunsit Thani vertical garden, Grace Eleazar says, “This Vertical Garden design specifically lowers the temperature at the driveway of Dusit Thani Manila especially when the afternoon sun rays hit the entrance. At the same time, the water feature helps cool the air that passes through the open spaces between walls. I have also taken into great consideration the healing capabilities of plants, the ones that emit more oxygen, take away pollution and reduce carbon monoxide in the air”.

The vertical garden concept was originated by a Frenchman Patrick Blanc whose visit to Thailand’s tropical forest of Khao Yai National Park led to the birth of Vertical Garden. Some of his works include the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Japan, Marithe and Francois Girbaud Boutiques in New York and the Caixa Museum in Madrid.

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