Hatch 41’s Award Winning Green Wall Project in Chicago
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Team Members
Project Manager: Omni Ecosystem
Landscape Architect: Omni Ecosystems
Client: Hatch 41
The lobby of Hatch 41 showcasing the large green wall. Photo: Omni Ecosystems
Hatch 41 is a non-profit coworking space in Chicago that prioritizes local residents as members featuring a number of green walls and columns throughout the space complemented by art by black and marginalized artists. Located in a historic building, the light-filled coworking space services freelancers, entrepreneurs, and established enterprises. “All surfaces of the soaring facility Hatch 41 were considered as part of the biophilic design which sought to accent community growth with natural growth,” said Molly Meyer, CEO & Founder, Omni Ecosystems
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The installation equipment used during the project. Photo: Omni Ecosystems
The biophilic green wall design works double duty by supporting notions of green equity in addition to fulfilling its functional goals of enhancing health, wellbeing, and sustainability. This project promotes mental wellness as it provides a natural setting in an urban environment. It is highly accessible and provides space for respite. Design consideration was given to sound attenuation, accommodating daily business activities, in addition to wellness and beauty. The project utilized a modular system inspired by steppe terrace farming for vertical surfaces.
The green wall relies on optimized engineered growing media, a customized framework, and micro irrigation to achieve its performance goals. A project specific hydration management system was installed to adhere to water conservation methods, meaning better stormwater management and better water retention for plant use. The system is also entirely fertilizer and pesticide free.
The interior of Hatch 41, showcasing all of the pillars covered by greenery. Photo: Omni Ecosystems
Plant selection and placement based on size and type relationships reflect best practices for growth and sustainability, filling the large ex-industrial spaces with greenery and life for those utilizing the co-working space for their day-to-day activities. Careful consideration for species interactivity was observed to ensure growth and sustainability.
All utilized components were sourced from local distributors, further speaking to both the mission of the space, and Hatch 41 as an organization of investing in the strength of local community and innovation. The drainage material and landscape fabrics are made of post-industrial recycled polypropylene to reduce the overall impact footprint of the project, and the optimized engineered growing media was produced on site, further enhancing the project’s hyper-local focus and execution.
For more information on Jeffry L. Bruce Awards of Excellence projects please visit here.
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Watch the short video on this award winning project below and or more information on Omni Ecosystems visit here.
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Molly Meyer, CEO & Founder, Omni Ecosystems
Molly founded Omni Ecosystems in 2009 with the mission to democratize access to natural spaces and to create an organization that continuously engages in bold endeavors to affect positive and meaningful environmental change. Omni Ecosystems integrates science and design into working landscapes to improve resiliency within the built environment and empower healthier, happier humans.
