Our IST campus is very condensed concrete site. Green Growth is all about opening up our space and making our school a greener environment. This will benefit ourselves and the local ecosystem. It is about encouraging wildlife and cleaning up the pollution we create.
Target 1: Green Wall
Scale: Large
ABOUT:
We propose that the school transforms the grey walls of EC7 that faces onto the D24D into a green wall. A green wall would be a living façade covering the entire side of the building. Growing plants would produce oxygen, and clean up CO² emissions. This would improve the air quality on-site and would also absorbs noise pollution from the nearby road. It would also be an attractive feature and would brighten up the concrete building.
STRATEGY OF IMPLEMENTATION:
We would suggest getting a local company to design and construct the façade. Alternatively, the on-site maintenance team could do it, but it would still have to be designed and plants/flowers would have to be bought from another company.
School / Business who has implemented this scheme:
Trinity Business School
Estimated Cost:
Our Grade 11 team contacted a nearby company which quoted a price of 135€ per metre². Since it is a living wall it would have to be maintained which we suggest is done by a CAS group or on-site maintenance.
Image from livingroofs.org
Target 2: EXPAND CARE FOR WILD GARDENS
Scale: Medium
About:
We suggest that we need to take better care of the wild garden that is next to the IST Staff car park. It could also be expanded in the future or introduce other wild gardens around the school such as around EC7.
STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION:
The gardens could be designed by a student/staff member or by a garden designer. It could be maintained by a future CAS group, staff or by on-site maintenance team. There is the possibility of using the space in biology lessons e.g. for topic ecology and for learning about biodiversity. Another easy solution that could be implemented alongside would be a wildflower garden. Not only would it look nice but it is also great for insects.
School / Business who has implemented this scheme:
Estimated Cost:
Landscaping can be expensive and can cost upwards of of 3 000€ depending on the work that is done. However, if it is possible we would encourage a community effort involving some of the school parents who are keen gardeners!