LIKO-S Delivers Record-Breaking Green Facade for Aupark Bratislava
The new extension of the Aupark shopping center in Bratislava is now home to the largest green facade in Central Europe. Stretching across nearly 690 square meters, this living wall rises 18 meters high and extends an impressive 130 meters in length. This makes it the largest green facade not only in Slovakia and the Czech Republic but also a rare project of this scale across neighboring countries.
The project was designed by the renowned architectural office jaar, led by architect Juraj Jančina. The Aupark extension was designed as an energy-efficient structure, with the facade mounted on a framework made from repurposed materials from the original building, enhancing its eco-friendly credentials. This green facade brings a fresh, vibrant touch to the urban landscape, helping to cool the surrounding area and improve the local microclimate.
The facade is built using the Biotile hydroponic system, composed of modular cassettes filled with a specialized mineral wool. This material ensures even water distribution and minimizes the need for frequent plant replacement. “Our system is among the most advanced in the world, allowing plants to thrive even in challenging urban environments,” said Jan Musil, CEO of LIKO-S. The plants are irrigated using a drip system connected to an automated control unit, which adjusts watering cycles according to the seasons and can adapt to extreme weather conditions.
From Seedlings to a Living Wall
Every one of the 40,000 plants on this facade has its own journey. The process begins with pre-growing the plants in a specially designed greenhouse. “The perennials are planted in Biotile cassettes and spend about three months in the greenhouse before being installed on the facade. This allows them to gain strength and adapt to vertical growth, ensuring they are more resilient when moved to the construction site, significantly reducing the risk of plant loss,” explains Roman Macko, Business Development Director at LIKO-S. The plants were carefully selected for their ability to endure temperature swings from -20°C to +40°C, guaranteeing the facade’s year-round functionality and durability.
One of the standout benefits of the green facade is its ability to cool its surroundings through natural water evaporation. This effect is especially noticeable during the hot summer months when a hydroponic vegetative facade of this size can deliver a cooling output equivalent to about 70 air conditioning units—without consuming electricity or venting hot air from the building.
As the final touches are being applied, Aupark is preparing for the official unveiling of its new extension on October 24, 2024.
