Active green walls increase study concentration and general well-being

Hanken started its academic year by investing in Naava active green walls with the intention to improve the indoor air in study areas at Hanken’s campuses in Helsinki and Vaasa. The investment is a shared effort with NaturVention, a company that during the last five years has developed active green walls that improve indoor air quality in a natural way.

- These walls are placed in spaces where our students spend long periods of time, such as the library and group rooms. The purpose of these walls is to, through improved indoor air quality, provide better study conditions for our students, who occasionally sit long periods of time by their exam books, says Rector Karen Spens.   

In order to examine the effects of the green walls, a survey was conducted amongst the students studying in the library both before the walls were installed and one month after the installation. The students received no information about the walls in advance. The results show a clear positive effect on the general well-being already after a short period of time.  

- Of the respondents, 32,7% felt that the air quality in the library had improved and fewer students reported negative symptoms, such as headache and dry eyes.  In addition the green walls were considered as a boost to the general atmosphere of the library, reports Tua Hindersson-Söderholm, Head of the library.

To co-operate with a university feels natural for NaturVention.  

- We have a unique product that certifiably improves indoor air quality. The effect depends on the starting point and the most distinct effect can be noticed in teamwork rooms and in spaces, where there are many people at the same time. There is a clear demand for the walls and we have already sold over 500 pieces, says Christian Aspegren, chairman of NaturVentions.  

Already during the first four years NaturVention has sold most of their walls to the educational sector, as the company simultaneously has gathered scientific evidence to prove that their patented system works. The response has been very positive.

- We are convinced that the air we breathe affects our performance and our health, both Spens and Aspegren state.