Green walls and green building ratings
IGBC can count vertical greenery towards its vegetation credit, within limits set in each rating system. GRIHA doesn't score green walls directly, though a project can claim one innovation point for a significant impact. The project earns any points, and the rating body decides.
Sources checked
What does IGBC Green Homes count?
In IGBC Green Homes version 3.0, the credit is SD Credit 1, Natural Topography or Vegetation, worth 4 points. One way to comply is vegetation on the ground and on built structures, such as podiums, roofs and vertical greenery, over at least 30% of the site area. Above 50%, a project can claim exemplary performance. (IGBC Green Homes v3.0, p. 27)
The First Addendum of June 2021 sets the steps at 15% and 25% for ground vegetation, and 30% and 40% for ground plus built structures. It also says creepers are not counted as vegetation on built structures. (IGBC Green Homes v3.0 First Addendum, June 2021)
And IGBC Green New Buildings?
SSP Credit 4, Natural Topography or Vegetation, has an option for vegetation over built structures and on the ground: more than 30% of the site area for 1 point, more than 40% for 2. Its notes say vertical landscaping on external walls can be counted, only native or adaptive plants count, and potted plants and artificial plants do not. (IGBC Green New Buildings v3.0, SSP Credit 4)
The landscape design credit, WC Credit 1, carries the same two notes: vertical landscaping on external walls can be considered, and potted plants can't. (IGBC Green New Buildings v3.0, WC Credit 1)
Does a modular pot wall count?
It may not, and we won't tell you it does. Greenwall builds only modular pot walls, and IGBC Green New Buildings excludes potted plants from its vegetation credits.
Whether a pot wall in a fixed frame with drip irrigation counts as vertical landscaping is for the project's IGBC Accredited Professional to put to IGBC. Ask before the design depends on it.
Two more points to check: the notes refer to external walls, and to native or adaptive plants.
What does GRIHA do with green walls?
GRIHA's help centre says green walls are not directly evaluated under any criterion. If a project shows the green wall makes a significant environmental contribution, it can claim 1 point under Innovation. (GRIHA Help Centre, #846)
A separate help-centre note sets conditions for that innovation point, including a minimum size. Read it in full before planning a claim. (GRIHA Help Centre, #9995)
What can Greenwall give your consultant?
The wall's size and its plant list, with botanical names, from the written quote. Under an annual maintenance contract, monthly before and after photos show the wall is kept alive. The plant names we use are in our plant list.
We don't promise points or certification. Rating systems change through addenda and new versions, so check the version your project is registered under.
Sources
- IGBC Green Homes Rating System, Version 3.0, Abridged Reference Guide. Indian Green Building Council, September 2019. SD Credit 1, Natural Topography or Vegetation (p. 27); SD Credit 2, Heat Island Effect (p. 29); WC credits (pp. 54–56).
- IGBC Green Homes Rating System, Version 3.0, First Addendum. Indian Green Building Council, June 2021. Entry for SD Credit 1 (page 29 of the guide).
- IGBC Green New Buildings Rating System, Version 3.0 with Fifth Addendum. Indian Green Building Council. SSP Credit 4, Natural Topography or Vegetation, Option 2 (pp. 33–34); WC Credit 1, Landscape Design.
- (#846) Green walls. GRIHA Help Centre.
- (#9995) Green wall Innovation points. GRIHA Help Centre.
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Size it online for a first figure, then we measure on site and send a written quote.
