The Harvard University Graduate School of Design will sponsor a Margaret McCurry Lecture in the Design Arts on Tuesday, November 3, from 6:30 – 7:30 pm in the Piper Auditorium of the Graduate School of Design in Cambridge.  Patrick Blanc will speak on “The Vertical Garden, from Nature to the City, or how to bring biodiversity close to everybody’s life.”  For more information, email Brooke King at bking@gsd.harvard.edu, or log on to www.gsd.harvard.edu.

The Vertical Garden, known as Le Mur Vegetal in French, was conceived after many observations in natural environments.  The Vertical Garden relies on a new way to grow plants without any soil.  Since its weight is very light, it is possible to set up the Vertical Garden on any wall, whatever its size.  The Vertical Garden can be implemented outdoors or indoors, in any climatic environment.  The plant species selection is mainly set according to the prevailing climatic conditions.  For an indoor location, an artificial lighting system is usually required.  Watering and fertilization are automated.  The Vertical Garden acts as a phonic and thermic isolation system.  It is also an air purification device.