Office for
Micro Climate Cultivation

How it works

The vertical greening system VERD° by OMC°C brings green to urban spaces on a large scale – serially, quickly and easily. The modules provide shade, have a positive effect on the microclimate and absorb CO₂.

The OMC°C solution employs fast-growing, annual climbing plants which grow on a lightweight construction fitted with textile nets. The VERD° modules are highly adaptable to various locations, intrude minimally into existing structures and are largely self-sufficient apart from the required water supply.

VERD°System is cultivated in accordance with the seasonal cycle: the modules are stocked with seeds and seedlings in the spring, in the summer the plants grow, and in the fall the resulting biomass is "harvested". This eliminates the need for pruning and leaf disposal, while enabling the positive working of the sun in the winter. This VERD°Service is offered to the customer as an annual service and forms an integral part of the system. The harvested biomass is recycled and thus returned to the economic cycle.

Annual Climbing Plants

VERD° utilises annual climbing plants, carefully selected from a palette of 25 species, each with unique characteristics. Some are exceptionally fast-growing, others develop lush, voluminous greenery. Certain varieties captivate with their coloured blossoms, others with their fragrance or the iridescent green of their foliage. Depending on the location and intended use, a specific combination of plants can support additional goals beyond the creation of shade, such as aesthetic effects or a contribution to biodiversity. The diversity of plant species also reduces susceptibility to diseases.

The use of annual plants offers multiple advantages: they require less root space, need comparatively little water and exhibit no lignification typical for perennial plants. As the plants are "harvested" in autumn, there is no need for pruning and the disposal of foliage. In addition, the collected biomass re-enters the resource cycle as a new raw material – "value instead of waste".

Construction

The framework of all variants is designed as a lightweight structure suitable for serial production. Key criteria in all developments include the use of as little material as possible and minimal anchoring to existing structures, while ensuring maximum stability. The freestanding variants utilise wood and steel for the supporting structure, façade applications are supported by wire ropes.

Planters

The textile planter bags consist of an inner mesh layer and an outer belt harness . In collaboration with a substrate manufacturer, a peat-free organic substrate tailored to the system's requirements was developed. This substrate contains all the necessary nutrients for one entire growing season, eliminating the need for additional fertilisation. The plants grow out of the substrate-filled textile planter bags.

Textile net

A specially designed net made from renewable flax fibres acts as a climbing aid. Lightweight yet highly durable, the net is fully biodegradable, allowing it to be harvested alongside the plants in autumn and recycled.

VERD°Service

The seasonal cultivation is an integral component of the greening system by OMC°C. In spring, the modules are supplied with seedlings and seeds, and the textile nets are hoisted. From April to October, when the plants are growing and producing biomass, minimal care is required as the plants are provided with water via an automated irrigation system and there is no need for additional fertilisation. In autumn, plants and nets are harvested and recycled as raw material of for the generation of energy. The whole service is coordinated by OMC°C and provided by cooperation partners.