Commercial Architecture November 2017 - 26

PROJECT

interiors

Green Walls Welcome R
Restaurant Guests

LiveWall green walls at Brome
Burgers & Shakes express the
brand and bring its sustainability
commitment to life.

estaurants, hotels, and resorts are

maintains the LiveWall green walls. In con-

finding that green walls can boost

junction with the project, the business won a

their brands and help build busi-

Gold Award for Creative Landscape-Green

ness. Brome Burgers & Shakes in Dearborn,

Initiatives from the Michigan Green Indus-

MI, is a case in point.

try Association.

"We are all about sustainability, green liv-

"We got into green-wall installation and

ing, wholesome food, and self-awareness

maintenance as a way to grow our business,"

about the environmental impact of our

said Marcy Bell, president, Bell's Landscape

choices," said Sam Abbas, the business'

Services Inc. "I did our research on the mar-

founder. "We want everyone who visits our

ket for living architecture and on various

restaurant to experience the core values of

green-wall systems. We decided to go with

our brand in every aspect of our operations."

LiveWall (St. Nunica, MI). It is the most

Brome's commitment is evident in the

complete system, the best engineered, and

restaurant's location. Abbas chose to refur-

the most hospitable to plants."

bish a corner building that was constructed

Mike Bell, chief executive officer, Bell's

as a retail store. "Every decision we made

Landscape Services, commented that the

about the project reflects our responsibility

system is well designed and assembles part

to the environment," he said. "We hope to

by part in a logical fashion, following the in-

inspire our customers, suppliers, competi-

stallation process explained in the installa-

tors, and contractors to appreciate the values

tion guide and schematics. The first step is

that inspire us and express them in the ways

installation of vertical strips that mount to

they live, do business, cultivate food, and

the building wall and to which the other

enjoy it."

components are attached. The vertical strips

An adaptive re-use design developed by

also establish the necessary air space between

the Hallarsan Group, Detroit, renovated the

the wall and the system. Next, horizontal

long-vacant 3,700-sq.-ft. space and created a

aluminum rails, with conduits for the tubes

modern, open, light-filled restaurant. The

that deliver water to the integrated irrigation

sustainable design preserved the cedar truss-

system, are mounted to the vertical strips.

es of the original 15-ft.-high ceilings. During

For indoor installations, LiveWall uses drip-

construction, the original concrete floors

stake assemblies that inject water into the

were revealed and refurbished. Tables were

growing medium. Molded-plastic modular

custom fabricated out of reclaimed wood

planter boxes fit into place on the rails. Final-

from dilapidated structures in Detroit, and

ly, separate liner inserts that have been

much of the furniture was sourced locally.

pre-planted slide into the planter boxes.

The idea of using green walls as a focal point

"Maintenance is straightforward," said

of the interior was developed during a design

Mike Bell. "Every six weeks, we clean out

brainstorming session.

any die-back, trim the plants (especially the
ones in the lower rows of the modular plant-

Top. Brome's commitment to sustainability, green living, wholesome food,
and self-awareness about the environmental impact of choices is evident in
the restaurant's location. The owner
chose to refurbish a corner building that
was constructed as a retail store.

NOVEMBER 2017

The green-wall installation is one of the most

adjust irrigation."

prominent design elements in the restaurant.

"The green walls propel our brand for-

The green wall took a large, blank wall area

ward," said Abbas. "They create an atmo-

that would have otherwise been painted or

sphere in which it becomes more than serv-

wallpapered and brought it to life.

ing and enjoying great burgers and shakes

in two sections each 16-ft. long by 9-ft. 10-in.

but also about making a positive impact on
everyone's lives." CA

high. A mix of six tropical plants, selected
because they thrive indoors, grows on the
wall. The plant palette features Pothos, Epimedium, and Tradescantia Red.
In addition to the featured green walls,
the interior includes a front window planter.

Right. In addition to the featured green
walls, the interior includes a front window planter with greenery reflected in
the glass top of the adjoining counter.
COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE

ers), check soil moisture, and inspect and

The installation totals 309 sq. ft., divided

Above. The Brome Burgers & Shakes
green-wall installation is one of the
most prominent design elements in the
restaurant.

26

GREEN WALLS STAND OUT

Its greenery is reflected in the glass top of the

Circle 3 on the Reader Service Card.

adjoining counter.

Watch a video.

Bell's Landscape Services Inc., Wixom,
MI, recommended, sold, installed, and
commercialarchitecturemagazine.com

Want more information? To download
the information listed below, visit
commercialarchitecturemagazine.
com/1711livewall

Learn more about LiveWall.
http://www.commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/1711livewall http://www.commercialarchitecturemagazine.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture November 2017
