Green Louvers is currently being developed as one of the most innovative facade systems for climate-responsive architecture. The project is developing movable, hydroponically greened vertical louvers that, for the first time, can also be used in front of transparent facade surfaces. As part of this collaborative project, TERRA URBANA is responsible for the development, optimization, and practical testing of the hydroponic irrigation and cultivation systems. The systems are currently undergoing an intensive testing phase—a crucial step in preparing the facade system for real-world building applications.
The Green Louvers slats combine a hybrid design principle consisting of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic and an internal metal frame. Each louver is fully rotatable and can automatically adjust to the sun’s position, weather conditions, and the plants’ needs. This flexibility not only ensures optimal light exposure for the plants but also protects them from severe weather events such as hail or intense midday sun. At the same time, building occupants benefit from dynamic daylight control and effective sun protection.
Our current work focuses on hydroponic plant nutrition. The roots are immersed directly in a circulating nutrient solution—without soil, but with maximum efficiency. In our test setups, we are currently evaluating:
• the stability of the recirculating system under real-world outdoor conditions
• nutrient supply across different seasons
• the evaporation and cooling performance of the planted fins
• the functionality of the plant supports and safety systems
• ease of maintenance and operational reliability
This testing phase is crucial for ensuring that the hydroponic technology is robust, low-maintenance, and suitable for building integration in the long term. Initial results show that the combination of automated irrigation, efficient nutrient delivery, and a movable lamella design enables extremely stable plant growth—even under changing environmental conditions.
Green Louvers is a system that actively cools urban spaces, improves air quality, promotes biodiversity, and at the same time expands architectural design possibilities. With its expertise in hydroponics, TERRA URBANA plays a key role in ensuring that this system not only works technically but also performs reliably in real-world building operations.
Green Louvers is now in its decisive testing phase—and we’re bringing the greening of the future to building facades.