Fytogreen was proud to be involved in this stunning Sky Garden – a unique greening project in Melbourne CBD. Our involvement began with initial consultation and evolved into a project for design, supply and installation of the greening infrastructure along the central concourse, including all four facades within stainless steel planter boxes and providing additional sloping green walls on the ground level.

In late 2017, Director Geoff Heard, started work with the inhouse design and botanist team Erik van Zuilekom and Mitchell Clouten, designing for Collins Arch, consulting with the architect, builder and client. After the design approval process was completed, the key item of selecting and securing the Liriodendron tree was undertaken, so the advanced growth of 7.5m was ready for crane lifting in.

Onsite work commenced in March 2020 with the tree being craned in and maintained while the rest of the void space was constructed.

The green wall also was installed in March and the pre-grown green façades for the central concourse were installed in May 2020. With the final section of level 39, 40 and 41 gardens and climber elements commencing in June with a team of five skilled installers completing the installation by late September 2020

Fytogreen designed, fabricated and installed stylish tapered stainless steel planter boxes for Levels 40 and 41, the northern and southern façades have cascading plants, while the climbers on the eastern and western façades are supported by architectural mesh from Tensile.

The main challenge Fytogreen faced for this huge greening project was coordinating with the steel fabricators for the green wall frame that runs along William Street, as each green wall was sloping in two directions – but the final product is looking fantastic and is thriving.

Fytogreen focuses on sustainable biophilic design ensuring the species chosen thrive throughout their natural lifespan in their elevated environment.

“We prefer to get involved early and work with architects and landscape architects at the design stage when possible, so that the design is well thought out, with sufficient consideration for light and wind conditions, constructibility and importantly, future maintenance access and feasibility,” said Lisa, Fytogreen’s marketing coordinator.

“We have developed numerous products to advance the green infrastructure cause, all thoroughly researched and tested, which has enabled Fytogreen to lead the way in developing Fire Compliant Greenwall systems and the super lightweight Fytoarbour system throughout 2020 and beyond.