"Flower walls" (hana no kabe, a product of Suntory Midorie Limited) were selected to provide interior foliage at Expo 2010, opening on May 1 in Shanghai. This greening system lends a natural touch to the Theme Pavilion, one of the main pavilions, affording an opportunity to showcase Midorie greening systems for an international audience.
Midorie-branded products-with midori meaning "green" in a phrase that conveys a wish to popularize greening in Japan and around the world-are offered by a Suntory company specializing in environmental greening solutions. Leading Midorie products include innovative greening systems for rooftops and walls (midori no yane and hana no kabe, respectively) that feature a new soil substitute developed by Suntory Midorie called Pafcal.* Eliminating soil enables the greening systems to be lighter, more fertile, and easier to manage.
Earlier success of the greening systems paved the way for adoption at the Expo 2010 Theme Pavilion. The systems won a silver medal at a Shanghai greening competition in 2007, followed by a gold medal last year, demonstrating an appreciation for this original approach to environmental greening.
| Flower walls are installed on five columns along the main Theme Pavilion walkway, rising 3.5 m from the base of the columns and providing a greening area that extends 2.5 m. In all, the units cover 59 square meters. Making a debut at the expo are newly developed corner units, which enable greening all around to create the effect of "green columns." |
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| Sprawling flower walls in the Theme Pavilion VIP area cover 11 square meters in all. In appearance, the units portray the meandering bends of the Chang River near Shanghai, with special attention to details such as lighting on the verdant surfaces. |
