Earth, Wind, and Water
Earth, Wind, and Water: The Landscape of Alabama is a 1,260 square-foot living interior mural on the wall between Concourses B and C at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, made up of 8,000 specimens of 60 different plants native to Alabama. It was installed in 2014 as part of the airport's $201.6 million modernization and expansion. It was dedicated on July 21. The walkway opened to the public in August.
The 12-foot tall by 105-foot long mural was designed by Mike Weinmaster of Green over Grey of Vancouver, British Columbia in coordination with KPS Group architects and contractors Brasfield & Gorrie and BLOC Global. Foliage Down South of Pelham installed the work over the course of 400 hours. The design was based on a fabric quilt by Muff Johnston based on Alabama's ecological regions.
The plants making up the living mural are supported on fabric-covered panels and automatically irrigated with nutrient-infused water. Some of the plants bloom or fruit at different times during the year, changing the appearance of the mural. In addition to its visual effect, the mural serves to improve interior air quality and to abate noise.
The installation underwent a full restoration in early 2024.
References
- Smith, Mike D. (July 21, 2014) "A green welcome to 'Alabama's front porch': Living wall exhibit unveiled at Birmingham airport." The Birmingham News
- Nordstrom, Robert (December 2014) "Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Int'l Strips Terminal to Bones & Rebuilds." Airport Improvement - accessed May 12, 2024
- Byington, Pat (April 26, 2024) "The “Living Wall” exhibit at the Birmingham Airport replanted and restored." Bham Now