Airport’s ‘Tiger Wings’ brings nature indoors

By Atiya Firdos

Kempegowda Airport’s Terminal 2 showcases vertical garden with over 15,000 plants, enhancing sustainability and air quality for travellers

The Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has unveiled a unique installation titled ‘Tiger Wings’ at Terminal 2, a vertical garden designed in collaboration with the renowned French botanist Patrick Blanc. This 30-foot-high, 160-foot-wide garden, comprising two large walls, marks Blanc’s largest project in India and demonstrates BLR Airport’s vision of integrating natural elements with modern infrastructure.

The installation, named after India’s national animal, the tiger, embodies the theme of nature meeting architecture. It’s built to symbolise the wings of an aeroplane, with an outline traced by Asparagus plants and vibrant flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and white, representing the tiger’s iconic stripes.

A nod to Bengaluru’s green heritage

Bengaluru has long been known as the “Garden City” of India, and ‘Tiger Wings’ reflects this legacy by incorporating over 15,000 plants from 153 species, many native to Karnataka and Western Ghats. Patrick Blanc, an expert in creating self-sustaining vertical gardens, specifically selected these plants to represent the local biodiversity. His team travelled through Karnataka’s forests to identify plant species that could thrive in the region’s climate and conditions.

“We wanted to bring a fresh perspective to sustainability and artistry that resonates with Bengaluru’s spirit. The project blends greenery with technology, art, and sustainability, principles central to the design of Terminal 2,” said Hari Marar, Managing Director & CEO of Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL).

Eco-friendly engineering and a sustainable design
One standout feature of ‘Tiger Wings’ is its eco-friendly, soilless planting system. Instead of traditional soil, plants grow on specialised felt imported from Germany, which holds water and nutrients for the plants. This design simulates natural rock surfaces where plants often grow in minimal soil with limited water, a setup that aligns with Blanc’s commitment to creating low-maintenance, resilient ecosystems.

The vertical garden also employs a sophisticated irrigation system, which conserves water by supplying only the amount needed for plants to thrive.

“We created an environment where plants grow just as they would in nature’s crevices. This project isn’t just about adding greenery to the airport, it’s about enhancing air quality and creating a refreshing, cool space within Terminal 2,” Blanc explained.

IoT-enabled irrigation systems
T2 employs IoT-enabled irrigation systems with sensors monitoring soil moisture levels and plant health. This system allows for precise watering, reducing waste and ensuring optimal growth conditions without manual intervention.