2008: Green facades in iconic London locations

O2 Arena: A green revolution in London

Following the success of the green facade in Monaco, interest also came from London. In 2008, Mobilane was approached to install green facades on the O2 Arena, the event complex originally built as the Millennium Dome to celebrate the new millennium. Mobilane’s WallPlanter walls were applied to clad the complex with living greenery, giving the arena a striking and sustainable appearance. The green facades remained a signature feature of the Dome for many years until a redevelopment of the area took place.

London 2012 Olympic Stadium: A green challenge

Ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games, Mobilane was asked to supply green walls for London’s Olympic Stadium. The project was undertaken by Willerby Landscapes, who covered the entire exterior of the stadium with greenery, with Mobilane supplying all the required WallPlanters.

Two types of green walls were designed and installed:

• • A 6-meter-high and 500-meter-long wall that ran around the perimeter of the stadium’s embankment.
  • An almost vertical green wall around the entrance to the stadium.

Innovation and complex execution

Both walls presented unique technical challenges. The embankment wall, located near the waterfront, had to be installed on a 70-degree slope with a special substrate. The installation used 20,000 plants, each with an individual irrigation feed.

To carry out the work safely and efficiently, Mobilane developed a system of modular structures. These lightweight, movable platforms made it possible to work safely on the slope. This innovative system was also integrated into the maintenance strategy, where a special mini-porch was developed for safe and easy maintenance of the plantings.

The nearly vertical wall around the entrance brought another problem: The 3-ton screens had to be attached without secondary support. Using advanced 3D software, Mobilane designed a steel structure that could support the heavy green walls. This structure was custom-made to perfectly follow the slope and curve of the screen.

An Olympic success

Construction of the Olympic Stadium began on May 22, 2008, and during the 2012 Games the stadium hosted 80,000 visitors. The green walls, designed and supplied by Mobilane, contributed to the sustainability and aesthetics of the stadium and became a striking element in preparation for one of the world’s largest sporting events.