POSTED 11/2024

2024 Winner – Large Installation

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Green Air NZ

Quick Facts

Location: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Auckland CBD

Total Plants: 480

Timeline:

Date of consultation: June 2022
Start date of installation: May 2024
Completion date of installation: August 2024

Design

The Hotel Grand Chancellor, the newest 4.5-star hotel in Auckland’s CBD, aimed to celebrate Auckland’s rich heritage in the guest experience by integrating cultural and geographic narratives within the design. A key part of the client’s vision was to create a sense of connection to New Zealand’s lush native flora and an inviting environment from the moment guests stepped into the cobbled laneway from Wellesley Street.

We achieved this through a thoughtfully curated selection of plants and installations, including:

A 50m external green facade utilising engineered planter boxes and a custom wired system.
An atrium green wall designed with specialised lighting for optimal plant health.
Custom-made, wall-hung planters affixed with engineered bracket systems for aesthetic and structural longevity.
Strategically placed floor-standing planters enhance visual appeal and reinforce the connection to nature throughout the space.

The plantscape design creates an immediate sense of calm and connection in the bustling heart of the CBD, offering an unexpected yet welcome retreat from urban life. The greenery draws the eye naturally, encouraging guests to explore the space with curiosity. Reflections from glass surfaces enhance the visual depth, and the various views—from the atrium to the façade—create a continuous dialogue between the building and the natural environment. This unique experience transforms the space, inviting relaxation and mindfulness while offering a moment of peace in the city.

The green façade is designed to thrive and evolve, with plants growing denser and further integrating into the building’s architecture, becoming a living, breathing part of the structure. We chose a refined plant palette with the majority New Zealand’s natives but also ensures long-term vitality, balancing deep green tones with species known for their durability in urban environments. Horticulturally, the plants have been carefully selected for their resilience to the Auckland climate, with the green wall and planters engineered to provide optimal drainage, irrigation, and lighting. This attention to detail ensures that both the visual impact and the health of the plants will endure for years to come, allowing the design to gracefully stand the test of time.

Installation

We selected plants that suited the site’s environmental conditions, particularly the green façade facing the high southwest winds and low light. Climbing species, both native and non-native, were chosen for biodiversity and aesthetic variation. Lower-growing plants were selected for their ability to tolerate wind while maintaining their form.

The plant palette of 20 species includes a combination of ascending and descending growth to add depth, with a focus on durability and integration with the environment.

The floor-standing planters were selected in black and grey tones to match the hotel’s modern interior. Matte black powder-coated finish were selected for the green wall fascia, wall-hung planters and façade to ensure durability outdoors.

We used natural brown bark as the top dressing to complement the plants and retain moisture. Additional materials such as pumice rocks and logs were included to create a natural look that reflects New Zealand’s environment. These elements also serve practical functions, aiding soil health and contributing to the overall visual impact.

The main obstacle was high southwest winds, particularly affecting the green façade. The 50-meter planter boxes were engineered to be lightweight yet strong enough to be suspended while holding soil and plants. We also designed an accessible drainage system with hatches for maintenance. These were installed via crane.

For the atrium green wall, we addressed low light levels with specialised lighting. Despite these site-specific challenges, the installation was completed without compromising structural integrity or plant health.

Innovation

The green wall system is made of a felt panel system that is lightweight, slimline and superior water-holding properties, ensuring the best substrate for healthy plant growth from installation and ongoing maintenance.

The entire façade celebrates New Native plantings, with a mix of trailing and shrub like plants. This allowed us to create a pattern. The Dicksonia fibrosa (Punga) was used as the feature canopy tree, with underplanting that complements its structure.

The bespoke engineered green façade is a key innovation. It combines a custom planter system with a wired support structure to ensure the long-term growth of plants in high wind conditions. The façade system allows plants to grow in vertical alignment while maintaining stability and healthy development.

Additionally, the sub-irrigation system is GPS-monitored and adjusts water levels automatically, reducing manual intervention by 80%. The lighting design integrated into the atrium’s green wall is another innovation, crafted to provide the right spectrum for low-light plants, ensuring that all greenery thrives despite the environmental challenges of the space. The combination of smart irrigation, bespoke support systems, and native plant diversity makes the project stand out in terms of both form and function.

Maintenance

Green walls are serviced weekly for the first three months, then quarterly. The green façade requires rope access for maintenance and is serviced accordingly. Floor-standing and round planters are maintained on a fortnightly schedule.

In the event of a pest infestation, we adhere to our best practice of cleaning, pruning, or replacement based on the extent of the infestation. Our treatment solutions are derived from natural products and are entirely chemical-free. We also strategise the use biological control.

Light conditions vary across the project. The green wall and planters were designed with specialized lighting to accommodate low natural light. Native and hardy species were selected to withstand varied environmental factors, including wind and shade.

The irrigation system for the green wall and façade is monitored via SMS and GPS, tracking water usage. Round wall planters use smart grow pots with a wicking system that delivers water as needed. The floor-standing planters also employ a wicking system, reducing water consumption by 80% while ensuring plants absorb water when required.

Pruning practices are minimal to maintain the natural, untamed aesthetic of the planting. We trim old leaves and dead material but allow the plants to grow freely within their containers to create an authentic ecosystem feel.

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