BENGALURU: A pioneering vertical garden, home to over 15,000 plants across 153 species—many native to Karnataka and the Western Ghats—was introduces on Thursday at Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).
The project, named Tiger Wings, was created in collaboration with Patrick Blanc, a globally recognised botanist affiliated with the French National Centre for Scientific Research.
The garden spans 4,000 square feet and stands at a height of 30 feet and a width of 160 feet, making it Blanc’s largest project in India. The installation exemplifies the foundational philosophy of T2, seamlessly blending nature with infrastructure.
An official release stated, “Utilising a soilless system with specialised felt imported from Germany, the garden’s intricate design captures the strength and elegance of India’s national animal, the Tiger. Asparagus plants trace the silhouette of airplane wings, while vibrant red, orange, yellow, and white Ixora flowers represent the tiger’s signature pattern.”
Blanc, who visited numerous forests in the Western Ghats, carefully selected rare plant species from these diverse ecosystems. He remarked, “Tiger Wings is the realisation of a dream where nature and architecture coexist seamlessly. By employing specialised felt layers, we create an environment where plants thrive, just as they would in nature's crevices.”
Hari Marar, Managing Director & CEO of Bangalore International Airport Ltd, which operates the airport, commented, “We wanted to bring in a fresh perspective to our vision of sustainability, artistry, and technological advancement in a way that resonates with Bengaluru’s essence. Patrick’s innovative approach to designing living walls—allowing plants to grow as they would in nature with minimal intervention—was precisely what we envisioned for this space.”
The vertical garden has been designed to be highly water-efficient, featuring an irrigation system that delivers the right amount of water to the plants through the felt layers.