Meeting with Greywater Systems and experiencing their unique system first hand showed very promising for future project in Australia and elsewhere, since their invention is clearly more efficient than traditional drip irrigations systems. This could solve a lot of problems with clogged tubes and uneven water distribution. Also, since the water is distributed sub-soil, the evaporation is truly minimized. When installing irrigation systems world wide, the system used must be easy to install and equally easy to repare if necessary. Greywater Systems have thought of all these things, which make them a great partner for Biotopia. We look forward to future collaborations and projects!

When in Australia one simply must visit the Arid Lands Botanic Garden in Port Augusta, 3 hours north of Adelaide. The garden was established as recent as 1993 with the aim to conserve and promote the flora of arid Australia. The garden is one of the most interesting and well designed botanical gardens I have ever seen – and I have seen many. Because of the coastal position, the garden also features unique marine environments including grey mangroves. There are three different trails to chose from, where you walk in a silent landscape surrounded with plants beautifully planted in a naturalistic setting (finally, a botanic garden that does not put the plants in rows) and the occasional lizard sun bathing on the path. If you are a plant nerd and you are going to visit one botanical garden on this huge continent, this is the place to see.

Possessed or not, the garbage warrior is simply fantastic and utterly inspiring. I would highly recommend everyone to watch this documentary since it speaks volumes on vision, innovation and the ability to just hold on to what you believe is right, on a professional as well as a personal level.

You can find it on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrMJwIedrWU

By: Matilda Nilsson

The week started with attending a workshop for Swedish institute called She Entrepreneurs. A collaboration between Sweden and the MENA-countries to enhance female entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa region. A great project with absolutely amazing participants. These ladies are truly inspiring – very courageous and goal oriented in their projects. Best of luck to you all and looking forward to meet some of you again next year in Amman.

Dealing with energy efficiency, experiencing Dubai definitely gave mixed feelings. This luxurious city in the middle of desert consisting of huge glass buildings with constant air conditioning, big roads with lots of traffic, almost no pedestrian streets or bike lanes. An outdoor climate with temperatures exceeding 40°C during summer, still there are lawns and sprinklers running during daytime when most of the water is evaporated. Although water is scarce and yearly rainfall is very limited. It makes you wonder, for how long can we keep this up?

That is why stumbling upon companies and projects working for energy efficiency in the region truly give inspiration for continued work. Meeting Marwan Chaar for FuGu Energy and The Hub of Dubai gave new ideas of possible projects in the Persian Gulf. Something we will definitely continue to work on for 2012.

Finally, seeing Masdar City was an experience to be remembered. Masdar is a project close to Abu Dhabi airport with a vision to become one of the most sustainable cities in the world. It was a pleasure to witness its remarkable architecture and planning, and to meet with Landscape Manager Lars Pertwee who kindly showed me around and took a good part of his day to discuss sustainable landscaping and grey water management. Masdar City is scheduled to be completed in 2025 and will surely be a very interesting project to follow.

By Matilda Nilsson, Biologist and Landscaping Consultant

Mediterranean climates can be found on every continent of the world except for the poles. Even so in the Middle Eastern country of Jordan, showing an interesting variety from arid desert to blooming hills and valleys. When travelling to Jordan for the first time little did I know what I was about to discover. That I would come back every year to this wonderful country of terracotta coloured sand and rocks with shades of pink, purple and ochre. How I would fall in love with the desert plants that showed such remarkable survival skills and adaptations. How they kept blooming for months in the midst of winter in the most vibrant colours. I realized later on how those plants could be used in Scandinavia as well. In glassed areas where the climate is just the same as the plants origin – dry and warm.

Innovation in a traditional trade

Innovative vegetation design for glassed areas is in my opinion yet to be discovered. We have not seen the full potential plants can bring in form of money saved and maintenance kept to an absolute minimum. In addition to the economic side of it all, to be able to give customers the experience of colourful winter bloom, aromatic herbs and fascinating succulent plants that can be fully enjoyed when needed the most, during winter when the climate outside is hopelessly dark and cold. To be able to bring a piece of that Mediterranean lifestyle the customer is longing for. Gardens like these in glassed public areas could really bring the crowds and create important media attention.

Choosing the best plants for the given environment

Often times the vegetation seen in shopping centers are of tropic origin. The plants usually prefer weekly watering and would thrive with higher air humidity than shopping centers normally can offer. This difference of living conditions means one thing – maintenance. The amount of maintenance put into vegetation can be very costly. But there is another way to do it.

A new plant material

By using plants adapted to a life in warm and dry climate maintenance costs are minimal. Watering need is substantially reduced and during times of plant dormancy, not even necessary. Due to a dryer soil and a suitable climate, plants rarely suffer from pests and disease.

Many plants from arid and dry Mediterranean climates are in fact evergreen, which means all year interest, even after the seasonal bloom. You would think that all plants growing in desert is cacti, but think again. There are a big number of very attractive trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs that thrive in dry heat. Many of them never used before in a glassed public setting.

Horticultural knowledge gives economic gain

The most important factors for Biotopia when planning vegetation is to consider firstly, the ecological function to keep maintenance costs to an absolute minimum and secondly, to create an experience out of the ordinary. The visitors should find themselves standing in a room of greenery, organically interacting among the plants rather than statically looking at a few dusty plants in a pot. We wish to bring the customer into a different part of the world, even for just a moment while shopping. But to do this in the most cost effective way, horticultural knowledge is key.

Creating the atmosphere

With attractive winter blooming gardens around cafés or next to seating areas, visitors can find a moment of relaxation among the crowds while reminiscing the last vacation trip to the Mediterranean. Most people have a very positive attitude towards the aromatic plants of the Mediterranean and they are popular in all age groups.

It is a pleasure for us at Biotopia to be able to design, build and sustain a new type of landscaping for indoor use. Our plant material even tolerate grey water irrigation (wash water from sinks, showers, etc) for those clients who wish to bring their indoor landscaping in glassed areas to the next level of sustainability.

 

There are a few things to consider when using grey water. Often times people are afraid of using grey water due to risk of contamination, a risk that is highly exaggerated. Edibles can be avoided to minimize any worry. There are still a large number of plants that can be used to create a rich greenery. A coarse cleaning in a reed bed will make the water ready for irrigation or to be used in a fountain for evaporate cooling.

Regarding any nutrient deficiency, there are ways to work around that too. A thorough maintenance plan can ease any problems ahead and help to to keep the plants healthy for many years to come.

The picture below shows a good example of a simple yet striking composition where the red foliage of Aeonium contrasts beautifully against the silvery Festuca.

Why would anyone in their right mind take on this challenge you might wonder. Well, I am sure a few fellow plant nerds can agree that any plant dealing with arid climate is absolutely fascinating! And since the challenge is tough, the reward is greater when things work out. And they do. But to achieve a successful result, horticultural knowledge in depth is key.

With a bit of extra irrigation (grey water whenever possible) dormancy can be reduced and the plants often bloom for months. Several species tolerant of drought is actually evergreen, like agave, yucca, and many succulent plants. Their dormancy is barely noticeable and the garden will receive an all year interest.