The barren orange walls of the Visual and Performing Arts Center may be getting a green makeover in the near future.

There are plans in the works to build a large scale vertical garden on one wall of the VPAC. Vice President of Environment and Sustainability Keith Hubbard wants students to get involved, get their hands dirty, and learn how to be greener by taking an applied education approach to the upkeep of the garden instead of relying on groundskeepers.

“The younger generation has more power than they believe,” Hubbard said. “We are a part of the solution.”

Hubbard attended an annual “green festival” last year and got the innovative idea from Paul Giacomantonio, co-founder of Inka Biospheric Systems. Giacomantonio designed a small scale vertical wall after working with rural villages in Africa, Mexico, Borneo, Canada, and Hawaii. He realized that the low maintenance circulation system can save space and be easily maintained by almost anybody, especially when you are using the underdeveloped countries’ natural resources.

Other innovative creations by Giacomantonio and the rest of Inka Biopsheric systems can be found at Inka.fm. Giacomantonio also attended “Awakening the Dreamer” symposium last week to show his support for sustainable practices, and to answer questions that students and faculty had about vertical wall gardens.

The wall garden system would require “a small recirculating pump that can easily be converted from ac power to a solar powered unit,” according to Joseph Cooke, De Anza grounds supervisor.

“We can create a much larger vertical garden with relatively inexpensive materials,” Cooke said. “Most if not all can easily be purchased at our local Home Depot or Orchard Supply store.”

Cooke also has experience with similar creations. “For several years I made giant baskets of multi-colored impatiens, which, liking the shade grew well under the eaves of the Campus Center,” Cooke said. “Being protected from the frost often lasted well into December, only losing their beauty when the temperatures dipped into the teens.”

The Facilities Committee, Ground Department and De Anza Associated Student Body will be involved with the planning and funding process of the wall garden, as well as the Senior Staff and College Council who will have to approve the project, according to Donna Jones-Dulin, director of college operations.

Along with these hindrances in the planning process there has also been trouble securing funding, a location, and a way to manage upkeep. And as of June 30, De Anza will only have four grounds crew people Jones-Dulin said.