Hong Kong’s first CityTree, outside the Hopewell Centre, in Wan Chai.
Source:
https://scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/design-interiors/article/2015971/architect-denes-honus-tree-eats-pollution Design & Interiors
Vertical gardens that 'eat' air pollution and how Hong Kong could use them
German architect Dénes Honus, co-founder of Green City Solutions, says putting 200 of its internet-enabled CityTree vertical gardens in city's Wan Chai district would cut pollution there by 30 per cent or more
Green City Solutions’ co-founders (from left) Wu Liang, Dénes Honus, Peter Sänger and Victor Splittgerber with a CityTree prototype, in Dresden, Germany.
How did the idea for the CityTree come about? “My co-founders [Victor Splittgerber, Wu Liang and Peter Sänger] and I had been travelling around the world, mostly in cities, and realised there was a huge need for something to improve air quality. We came across biotechnology research being done by three German universities into moss cultures that have the ability, literally, to eat air pollution. Seeing this as a solution to a problem we had experienced first-hand, we asked them if we could commercialise it. After developing the technology side, the first commercial installation was launched in Jena, Germany, in late 2014. CityTrees are now located in Oslo, Norway, Paris, France, several cities in Germany and in Hong Kong, and we are selling units across Europe.”
What were you doing before that? “I was working for the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, an architectural firm based in Paris and Germany, on buildings including the Shard, in London.”
How do the “trees” work? “Bacteria on the surface of the moss culture attracts particulate matter [fine dust], and eats it up. The bacteria dies after ingestion and the moss culture, having learned to live in symbiosis with this bacteria, takes its nutrition from it.”
A CityTree in Jena, Germany.
“A water tank collects rain from the roof surface, and solar-powered sensors alert the system to give the plants optimal water and nutrients automatically. The units are also equipped with technology to collect data about the environment, traffic and climate conditions.
“So the CityTree cleans the air, beautifies the city and collects data – it’s a real piece of smart-city infrastructure. One CityTree is as effective in combating air pollution as 275 regular planted trees, but it requires 95 per cent less space, and is at least 10 times cheaper.”
How many CityTrees would be needed to make a measurable difference to air pollution in Hong Kong? “According to testing by our research partners at the University of Hong Kong, 150 to 200 units would reduce air pollution in Wan Chai by 30 per cent or more.”
Who is buying this product? “We are mostly selling to city governments, but are also talking to big real-estate developers and many different stakeholders. The Hong Kong CityTree was sponsored by the Hopewell Centre and Infiniti [a division of Japanese carmaker Nissan].”
The cost? “In Europe, about €25,000 [HK$216,500] to €35,000 per unit. In Asia the price is higher [as the units are shipped in from Europe], about HK$450,000, depending on the version.”