The Hearing Doctors of Iowa Living Wall

The brief

An empty wall in the practice's client seating area. The client wanted the space to feel more inviting and highly distinctive, and specifically wanted tropical plants.

Conditions

Interior wall in a healthcare practice with no building water or drainage connection at the wall, requiring a self-contained recirculating system. Ambient light insufficient for a dense tropical palette, requiring dedicated plant-support lighting.

Design rationale

A modular felt pocket panel system was used so the planting could be laid out across the full wall and serviced pocket by pocket. Two planters at the base double as water reservoirs: the pocket panels drain into them and the water is recirculated, removing any need for a plumbing connection. A pond liner behind the panels protects the wall assembly and ensures water does not leak. Lighting and irrigation run on wifi and Bluetooth timers so the wall operates automatically each day.

Materials and specification

Tropical plants — 109 in total, rotated seasonally. Modular felt pocket panel system with plant wraps in the same felt material. Custom wood framing on both sides and across the top, painted Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black. Pond liner behind the panels. Two base planters serving as water reservoirs.

Installation

Pond liner installed behind the modular felt pocket panels, panels mounted to the wall, custom wood framing fitted to both sides and the top and painted Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black, two reservoir planters set at the base to receive panel drainage, and eight track spotlights aimed across the wall face. Irrigation and lighting commissioned on automatic daily timers.

Technical detail

Recirculating irrigation — pocket panels drain into two base planters serving as reservoirs; no connection to building water supply or drainage. Pond liner behind panels for moisture containment. Eight RAB TK22L Track22 30W large track spotlights (selectable CCT, adjustable beam). Lighting and watering on wifi/Bluetooth timers running automatically daily. 109 plants total.

Ongoing care

Annual maintenance agreement that includes scheduled seasonal plant rotations — annual refers to the contract term, not the service frequency. Because irrigation is a recirculating system, reservoir level, pump, and timer review are part of the service scope alongside pruning, grooming, rotation, and replacement. The palette rotated from the original February 2026 planting to the current May 2026 planting under this agreement. Detailed visit scope and replacement terms still to be documented.

Outcome

Installed February 1, 2026. The original planting included a seasonal caladium rotation, documented in the early photography. The current palette was planted May 1, 2026 and appears fully established in the later photography, under the same lighting and irrigation regime. Together the two photo sets show how the wall performs well beyond installation day rather than only at turnover.