An Istanbul-based design firm has teamed up with one of the fathers of vertical gardens to liven up a bespoke restaurant in the city. Autoban and Patrick Blanc from France lined an wall with lush greenery, giving the space something of a jungle aesthetic that stands in direct contrast with some of the cold hard materials inside.
Green walls or vertical gardens have a variety of benefits, aside from just creating a healthy, warm and calming environment.
Not only do they improve air quality in a given space, but they also provide some insulation and even cooling benefits.
In the case of Nopa in Istanbul, the wraparound wall of plants also helps to take the edge off some of the ‘bespoke’ materials used to give the restaurant an air of luxury, including stone floors and shiny black marble on the walls and the bar.
Related: Living Elm’s Living Green Wall is a First in Kuwait
To be really honest, apart from the fabulous green wall, there’s not much that’s environmentally sane about this project at all – and that includes the retractable glass roof.
But it is interesting that this one aspect of improving urban design – incorporating vegetation to improve microclimates and establish some semblance of nature in cities that are overrun with concrete, cars, buildings and so riddled with pollution that people don’t spend much time outdoors.
There are other designers in the region who are taking their green ambitions further – but we don’t mind celebrating the baby steps as well.
:: Autoban
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
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