March London 2010: Anthropolgie vs Westfield. Who has the fairest vertical garden of all?

When comparing the vertical garden at Anthropologie and Westfield Shopping Centre in London there is very little doubt that it is Anthropologie who has the fairest vertical garden of all.

Why?

Context.

Anthroplogie’s living wall works with its context.

Anthropogie is like an explosion of joy – every element is orchastrated. The plants of the green wall are repeated around the store. The most extravagant plastic fantastic chandeliers are positioned to contrast with the natural calm foliage. The dynamic is brilliant.  The vertical garden is used both as a backdrop and as a centre stage act.

Meanwhile the dreary old Westfield green wall is trying to maintain a showstopping act with little support from its surrounds. A lonesome green wall stuck in a bleak landscape that is designed to be read by a motorist at speed, not a shopper who is walking . For photos and discussion on Westfield’s green wall click here.

Anthropolgie’s green wall creates a tapestry of colour and form. Plants are growing at various rates creating a fabulous three dimensional form to the wall. Leaf colour is also varied. Meanwhile over at Westfield we have a green wall probably 20 times the length of Anthropologie’s yet the planting creates a block of green with little variation. Granted the plants may change with the seasons but upon my snap shot visit – it appeared fairly dull to me.

Perhaps guriella gardeners you could dismantle the green wall at Westfield shopping centre, place it on the M25 to replace the hideous noise walls and in its new context Westfield’s green wall design may work.

Anthropologie’s green wall was designed by BioTecture.