NEWS – Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) unveiled its ambitious project, Tiger Wings, a vertical garden designed to harmonize nature with infrastructure at Terminal 2. Conceptualized by renowned botanist Patrick Blanc, this installation is a significant step toward integrating greenery within modern facilities.

HIGHLIGHTS

Innovative Vertical Garden Design

• Architect: Created by Patrick Blanc, an esteemed botanist from the French National Centre for Scientific Research.
• Size and Structure:
  • Stands 30 feet high and spans 160 feet in width.
  • Consists of two symmetrical walls, each 80 feet wide.
• Significance: It marks Blanc’s largest project in India, embodying KIA’s goal of merging nature with architectural spaces.

Botanical Diversity and Theme

• Plant Selection: Hosts over 15,000 plants, representing 153 different species.
• Native Plants: Focuses on species from Karnataka and the Western Ghats, enhancing the local environmental aesthetic.
• Thematic Elements:
  • Inspired by India’s national animal, the tiger.
  • Features prominent species like asparagus plants and ixora flowers, which enrich the garden’s vibrancy.

Sustainable and Innovative Technology

• Soilless Growth with Special Felt Layers
• Growth Medium: Employs specially designed felt layers to support soilless plant growth.
• Natural Plant Environment: The felt layers mimic natural growth on rock surfaces, ensuring the plants flourish without traditional soil.

Advanced Irrigation System

• Efficient Water Use: Equipped with a cutting-edge irrigation system that delivers precise water quantities.
• Sustainability: Mimics nature’s minimalistic use of resources, similar to plants on cliff faces or rock crevices.
• Environmental Preservation: Minimizes water wastage, aligning with BIAL’s sustainability objectives.

Vision and Impact

• Moves beyond decoration, aiming to enhance travelers’ experience through nature-inspired architecture.
• Integrates natural elements that reflect and preserve the beauty of the region’s biodiversity.

Elevates KIA’s Terminal 2, not just as a transit space, but as an experience in environmental design and sustainable innovation