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SUSREF
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An example of this system is shown in Image 26, which shows an example of living walls
system. In this example, bamboo is used for plantation. (Edouard Francois 2004)
Image 26. Example of living walls system, 'tower flower' in Paris. (Edouard Francois 2004)
Living walls system is not an actual refurbishment method and it should be considered only as
an additional feature on the facade. It might be applicable during façade refurbishment if
proper open spaces already exist in the building.
3.8.3.4 Climatic skin layer
The climatic skin layer is an integral part of the external wall. Walls with climatic skin layer
consist of internal (load-bearing or non-load-bearing) layer, insulation layer and the climatic
skin layer. This system is more complex than the other systems, since it includes an irrigation
system for the vegetation. (Almusaed 2011) Climatic skin layer gives weather protection for
the insulation layer and it also gives the visual outlook for the building.
An example system consists of an aluminium frame, where hydroponic medium and
pressurized irrigation pipes are integrated into the frame. The frame has holes at the top and
bottom edges, to allow the water to pass from panel to another. The composition of the
system is shown in Image 27.