Hidden gems: Living plant wall adds splash of color to new Agricultural Hall

Hidden gems: Living plant wall adds splash of color to new Agricultural Hall

Friday, December 13, 2024

Media Contact: Sophia Fahleson | Digital Communications Specialist | 405-744-7063 | [email protected]

The sound of laughter rings through the crisp morning air as students meet to discuss a class project.

Vivid colors of orange, pink, yellow and red stand out against the overcast morning atmosphere. Bees buzz gently by on their way to inspect the growing plants and blooming flowers of the new living plant wall, outside the recently opened Agricultural Hall.

The 186-square-foot green space, tucked neatly away on the east side of the building, is truly a hidden gem for those who use the tranquil area, said Nick Ouellette, Oklahoma State University landscape design manager.

"We knew the Dairy Bar plaza was going to be a really special seating area," Ouellette said. "We also knew it was missing something."

The design team decided the living plant wall was exactly what the space needed, he added.

The wall is bursting with plant life and is a haven for insects on campus, Ouellette said.

Different grasses, flowers and plants hang from the trays built into the feature to create a living plant wall.

The area provides a splash of color and nature against an otherwise concrete background.

The living plant wall features a unique seasonal plant display that includes a seating area for students to work on homework or eat lunch with their friends.

Adjacent to the seating area are reclaimed building relics from the original Dairy Building built into the new architecture, adding a nostalgic feeling to the newly created space, Ouellette said.

"Our landscape team came up with the living plant wall to be an interactive piece that we want the college to be a part of and where students could help design it, change out the plants and come up with new ideas for it," Ouellette said. "It has a lot of opportunity for students to engage and is something that can be used for education. It inspires engagement."

The plant wall was designed in-house by OSU Landscape Services and landscape architecture interns, Ouellette added.

Nohelia Hernandez, landscape architecture junior, worked closely with Ouellette in the planning and design process, Ouellette said.

The plant wall was built on a rail system with two pillars and a metal frame, Hernandez said.

These rails also serve as a watering system to the green containers that hold smaller black containers with the potted plants.

"It was essential for students to be involved because they are the primary audience who will interact with and experience the living wall daily," Hernandez said. "Having student input ensures the design meets their needs and enhances their environment."

Students also became involved in the project through the funding aspect.

The OSU Student Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Engineers Without Borders club donated to the project. Their donations were used to purchase the soil and plants.

The clubs wanted to come together to help make campus a more comfortable place for everyone, said Sam Doerflinger, Engineers Without Borders networking chair.

This project was a great opportunity for the clubs to make a positive impact not only on student life but also the environment and sustainability aspect of campus, he added.

Chloe Meyer, president of the OSU Student Chapter of ASLA, said this opportunity was exactly what the club members were looking for.

"Sometimes it's hard to actually see what something is going to look like when you are just working on your computer," Meyer said. "Seeing the design and then seeing what it looks like in real life is totally different.

"Volunteering was a fun way to get hands-on experience and for students to get exposure on projects like the ones they may be working on in the future," she added.

Both clubs had volunteers who helped prepare and install the plants.

Meyer and Doerflinger said their club members plan to continue contributing to the care and maintenance of the living plant wall for the foreseeable future.

"One of the main reasons we decided to get involved with this project was because we were looking for opportunities to build on our social networking," Doerflinger said. "This project is something for us to do together as a club, but it also allows us to get in touch with others."

Meyer uses the living plant wall as a place to come and destress, she said.

"Everyone needs a little Vitamin D and fresh air," Meyer said. "When I have been working in the studio for hours looking at a computer, it's nice to come here and get a change of scenery and connect with nature."

Story by Taylor Dowell | Cowboy Journal

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