Apple's Newest Japan Store Features 'Green' Wall for Climate Control

[MacRumors]

Apple's upcoming Omotesando retail store located in Japan may incorporate a unique "green curtain" of vines and plants to help with climate control, according to Japanese Apple site Mac Otakara [Google Translation].

Though much of the store remains hidden under large curtains, one entire wall of the building appears to be entirely covered with plant life, which the site suggests is used to insulate the store to save energy. Toyko, where the store is located, can get quite hot and humid during the summer months.

The store's construction walls also show off a leafy design, hinting at its unusually "green" exterior. In recent years, Apple has committed itself to lowering its carbon footprint, utilizing 94 percent renewable energy for both its data centers and corporate facilities. Apple was featured as a "Green Energy Innovator" by Greenpeace back in April, and the company has also hired former EPA chief Lisa Jackson to head up its environmental initiatives.

Image courtesy of Twitter user @OMS_Kayman​

While the Omotesando store design appears to be Apple's first of that nature, it is possible the company will adopt a similar strategy for future stores should it prove successful.

The new Omotesando store with its unique green wall may be opening as soon as June.

Article Link: Apple's Newest Japan Store Features 'Green' Wall for Climate Control

 

[jwbrobst]

...to be continued.

I'm sure we'll hear about this during the introduction of WWDC.

 

[redscull]

It's unlike them to make a storefront out of anything but monocolor rock/metal and glass. I'd love to see more green Apple stores like this!

 

[Wayfarer]

If you think about, Apple is a fruit, so going green... it just works!

 

[pesos]

Nice, I live right down the street. Will have to go check this out

 

[A MacBook lover]

Steve would not have done this.

 

[sprezz]

Some green never hurts, especially in japans cities. Look at how dense everyone is living, doesn't surprise me that they've created a garden wall, great on every concrete highrise...

 

[lolkthxbai]

Grrrr... Japan, why must you be so awesome :O

 

[lk400]

"can get quite hot and humid during the summer months."

Well that's quite the understatement. Japanese summers can be brutal, and with the self restraint regarding using any cooling, something like this is more than just showing off corporate social responsibility.

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Some green never hurts, especially in japans cities. Look at how dense everyone is living, doesn't surprise me that they've created a garden wall, great on every concrete highrise...

You would be surprised how green and leafy many parts of Tokyo really are, especially at this time of year.

 

[2457282]

From a hot summer perspective I can see how a plant wall can provide some benefits. My question is how does this work in the winter months? I don't know tokyo's weather, so not sure how cold it gets. But my question is more general in the sense that most ivy dies off in the winter cold, so I don't think it would provide much insulation.

 

[Monkeydude]

Wow

It's just ivy. And from own experience: they better hire a gecko or Spiderman as an employee.
©bruchsal.org

 

[Kissaragi]

I love green walls, id worry about vandalism in the UK tho, they must be relatively fragile.

 

[JohnArtist]

Where is "Toyko" ?

 

[JHankwitz]

Take it to the rooftops.

I'd like to see greenery on the roof where it could make the most out of shading sunlight, instead of in the shade between buildings.

 

[WaxedJacket]

That's one way to do an earth shelter home.

 

[JHankwitz]

Where is "Toyko" ?

Where is New York?

 

[miguel cortez]

Where is New York?

Don't you mean New Yrok?

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Nice, I live right down the street. Will have to go check this out

Lucky you. Japan is the one place in the whole world I really care to visit. I wish I was younger tho.

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It's just ivy. And from own experience: they better hire a gecko or Spiderman as an employee.
©bruchsal.org

I would say hire a Gecko as those walls may already be infested with spiders...

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Some green never hurts, especially in japans cities. Look at how dense everyone is living, doesn't surprise me that they've created a garden wall, great on every concrete highrise...

"A Garden Wall for a Walled Garden"

 

[rambo47]

The Life Sciences building at Drexel University has a huge bio-wall. One of the coolest things I've ever seen. 5 stories high, pumping out lots and lots of oxygen.

 

[patent10021]

i was too slow

 

[inscrewtable]

I'd like to see Apple go a lot further. It's what Steve would have wanted.

 

[NT1440]

The Life Sciences building at Drexel University has a huge bio-wall. One of the coolest things I've ever seen. 5 stories high, pumping out lots and lots of oxygen.

One of my biggest mistakes in life was turning down my acceptance to Drexel, not that I could afford it, but man would that have been an amazing place to go.

 

[street.cory]

Where is New York?

Whooosh