In 2021 Orb Rope Access were asked to assist living plant hire specialists, Inleaf, with the installation of a living wall at Lincoln University’s new Ross Lucas Medical Sciences Building.

The brief

The installation of the 110m² bespoke living wall of mixed evergreen plants on the exterior of the building, required rope access assistance due to its height. We were to collaborate with the Inleaf team who were also working on the wall at lower levels.

Once installed we were also asked to regularly maintain the living wall.

The building

The new building for the university’s Medical School incorporates lecture theatres, laboratories, a clinical skills suite with consultation rooms, a prosection anatomy suite, and a bio-medical and health sciences library.

It is now the most sustainable building on the University Estate. The living wall surrounds a solar PV system of 54 panels.

The work

Some sections of the living wall were installed by other contractors using cherry pickers, mast climber MEWPs and a scaffold tower, but the rest needed to be completed using rope access methods.

The rope access installation work was completed in two days.

Since the installation, Orb Rope Access have returned every six months to assist with the maintenance of the wall, including checking the irrigation system that automatically feeds and waters the plants, and removing dead flowers.

Benefits to the client

Rope access was the most practical and cost-effective method of reaching the higher levels of the 110m² wall. We were able to offer advice on the best way to approach the project and introduce additional efficiencies.

By collaborating with Inleaf on this project we were able to help them complete the installation within the required timeframe.