Climbing Plants

[Anchor Lead]

Climbing plants are attracting attention for a new use. They are being planted to cover the outer walls of buildings and to block out the sunlight. Here’s more.

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The frontal wall of a building is covered in green plants. Creeping, entangled climbing plants help block the scorching sunlight.

[Soundbite] Jeong Jae-hyo(Seoul Agricultural Technology Center) : "Curtains are used to block sunlight at homes. Similarly, plants are grown to serve as curtains for buildings. They were planted with some space left from the outer walls."

A thermo-graphic camera shows that the edges without the plants are red, while the front remains green. The temperature on uncovered walls is measured at 52 degrees Celsius, while the mercury stood at 36 degrees for walls covered with climbing plants. The gap is more than 15 degrees. Climbing plants have cooling effects by blocking heat. They have the potential to cut energy consumption by nearly ten percent. With their effects proven, climbing plants are being used as a sun shade at more and more buildings. Workers say that working conditions have considerably improved.

[Soundbite] Lee Gyu-ri(Officials, Gwangjin-gu District Office) : "Citizens say that it is cool without air conditioners on. It is also better for us to work, since sunlight doesn't directly penetrate."

Climbing plants are attracting attention as an effective way to block sunlight and save energy, in addition to its decorative function.