Starting on 19 April, it will be freely open for viewing

Vertical gardens and foliaged walls are increasingly becoming a common architectural solution in search of marrying environmental harmony and architecture – a way of bringing nature back to our urban lives. But how about letting nature indoors, too?

That appears to be the proposal of Santander’s newest addition – an interior vertical garden inside the Castilla-Hermida Civic Centre; a garden that is reportedly the largest of its kind in all of Europe. As of 19 April, between 8:30 and 21:00 anyone can visit the centre and admire the installation without a need for previous registration or entrance fee.

Nature aesthetics to bring a green therapy benefit

The project was part of the reconversion of the old Tabacalera building in the northern Spanish city into a modern civic centre. Last year, part of this transformation was the design of the vertical garden by FDA Arquitectos. The size of the installation is almost 600 square metres (17 metres in height and 32 metres in width).

In order to make the garden a reality some 22 300 plants from 26 different species have been planted. Given the size of the wall some planning, and adjustments needed to be made in order to make it work. Plants that are nearer the top can enjoy natural sunlight thanks to the glass ceiling but those placed in the lower half will be aided in their photosynthesis with artificial lighting.

The foliage is rooted in a semi-hydroponic textile system, which has been designed at the University of Seville, and which allows for optimal aeration of the roots without losing necessary nutrients.

The mixture of different plant species from different climate zones has been thought out so that no matter what season it is there will always be some plants that are blossoming, in essence creating an ever-changing mosaic.

Santander officials are of the opinion that this blurring between the boundaries of nature and interior design will increase the attractiveness of the city for tourism.

Article taken from https://www.themayor.eu/en

In addition to providing information, the screens have built-in chargers for mobile phones, electric vehicles and bicycles

The Istrian Development Agency (IDA) has set up three interactive screens in the areas of Pula, Poreč and Rabac in Croatia. The installation of these screens was carried out with the aim of enhancing customer service and boosting tourism.

What do the interactive screens offer?

The three screens have been designed to inform citizens and tourists about transport options as well as what areas have to offer in terms of attractions, sights, beaches, restaurants, hotels, etc. Due to the current epidemiological situation, the screens also provide information on the virus and the current measures which are in force to prevent its spread.

What is more, all interactive screens have built-in side shelves for charging and storing mobile phones, reported the IT engineering company PENTA d.o.o on its website.

The METRO Project

It is important to note that the installation of the interactive screens is part of the METRO project (Maritime Environment-friendly TRanspOrt systems). The aim of this project is to improve the quality, safety, and sustainability in maritime and coastal transport in the cross-border area of Italy and Croatia, reported the Croatian newspaper Glas Istre.

As such, it is not surprising that the interactive screen in Pula is located in the area of the Rijeka pier which is in the vicinity of the border crossing for passengers coming by boat from Italy as well as the railway and bus stations.

The Mayor of Pula, Boris Miletić voiced his satisfaction with the project as he noted that the interactive screens make Pula a smart city with modern infrastructure. Furthermore, he shared that this investment would undoubtedly improve the experience of tourists and thus, promote Pula as a travel destination.

Similarly, the screens in Poreč and Rabac were placed in the bay of Peškera and the Rabac waterfront, respectively. However, it must be noted that they are different from and more advanced than the screen in Pula as they come equipped with a charger for electric vehicles and bicycles. The Mayor of Labin Valter Glavičić and the Mayor of Poreč Loris Peršurić both highlighted that tourists and citizens will greatly benefit from the installation of the screens.

This investment cost just over 300,000 Kuna (46,228 Euros) and the IDA collaborated with PENTA d.o.o, the cities of Pula, Labin and Poreč, local tourist boards as well as port authorities to install the screens.

Article taken from https://www.themayor.eu/en