As planterior design—bringing nature into interior spaces—draws growing interest, 'NAAVA,' which combines innovative technology that pairs plants with artificial intelligence and adds Nordic design, is gaining attention.
'NAAVA' is a smart green wall system that maximizes the air-purifying ability of plants to purify indoor air in a natural way. The name 'NAAVA' comes from a moss that grows only in the pristine regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Inspired by the beautiful nature of Finland, it was created by world-renowned industrial designer 'Ville Kokkonen,' and it was officially launched in Korea in 2018.
The greatest feature of NAAVA, which can be installed without any separate water-supply or drainage facilities, is that it breaks down chemical substances in indoor spaces with an 'air-purification efficiency' up to 190 times that of an ordinary plant. In effect, a single NAAVA unit does the work of 4,000 air-purifying plants. When polluted indoor air is absorbed into an inorganic growth medium developed with proprietary technology, microorganisms in the plant roots break down harmful chemical substances to purify the air. The naturally purified air is then supplied back into the indoor space through a fan at the top of the NAAVA unit. The inorganic growth medium independently developed by NAAVA is a porous, nature-derived inorganic material and is the key element that boosts air-purification efficiency. Because it is not an organic material like soil, the likelihood of mold, pests, and diseases is low.
In particular, NAAVA's internal sensors measure the indoor environment, and its artificial intelligence analyzes the data and combines it with outdoor weather satellite information to operate in an optimized mode. Taking into account the temperature and humidity of the installation space as well as plant growth, the AI automatically selects and runs the watering (irrigation) and operating modes. All information is aggregated through the NAAVA server, and the system can be adjusted remotely around the clock via a remote control system. In addition, the plants, equipment, and water quality are managed through regular visits. To keep the plants in the best possible health, maintenance specialists carry out plant care such as disinfection, disease and pest prevention, pruning, and replacement, along with system operation inspections, equipment repair support, and water-quality management optimized for the plants.
NAAVA's product lineup consists of three models: △NAAVA One △NAAVA One Slim △NAAVA Duo. The NAAVA One and One Slim are single-sided models, mainly installed against a wall. The NAAVA One is a stand-type model that stands on its own without being fixed to a wall, while the NAAVA Slim is the thinnest model and is fixed by drilling into the wall. The NAAVA Duo is a double-sided model that can be used as a partition to divide a space. The plants used in NAAVA are made up of species that are harmless to the human body, selected from the air-purifying plants designated by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). These include pothos, Dracaena compacta, lemon surprise, mini Hong Kong palm, variegated Hong Kong palm, and anthurium.
NAAVA Korea, which supplies NAAVA in Korea, explained, "Humans spend 90% of the day indoors, and although more than 900 kinds of invisible, polluted chemical substances exist in indoor spaces, mechanical air-purification systems have dominated the domestic market, and there was no solution at all that purifies the air in a natural way," adding, "As the most primal human desire to 'bring nature into indoor spaces' spreads, NAAVA will serve as that alternative." In particular, since interior design trends are also expanding toward designs that consider even invisible elements, the company expects NAAVA to be a sufficiently competitive product for consumers looking for something that can address even the air they cannot see, all at once.
NAAVA Korea's main sales target is the B2B market, and installations are currently underway at various B2B client companies—such as offices, hospitals, cafés, and public multi-use facilities—that need to catch both birds of air quality and interior design at once. Through word of mouth, individual consumers who want to experience the air of nature are also purchasing the product.
Meanwhile, NAAVA is a global company that developed and supplies worldwide the smart green wall, a plant-based air-purification solution that naturalizes indoor air using plants. Headquartered in Finland, it operates in Europe, the United States, and Korea. With a corporate vision of combining innovative technology and nature to deliver the fresh air of Nordic forests to indoor spaces, it is gradually expanding its business scope. 1661-4760
▲ An installation case at the Swedish PT center 'Hart54.' NAAVA was installed in line with the trend of valuing healthy spaces and environments.
▲ Baskin-Robbins (Brown Cheongdam branch). As a premium Baskin-Robbins store, this is a new concept space created during a renewal after many maintenance problems were discovered—such as the previously installed landscaping withering and decaying.
▲ A view of the installation at 'Wonangari,' a café and coworking place that embodies a wellness space. NAAVA is installed at the front of the store, making it a place where you can feel NAAVA's freshness even from outside.
▲ Fursys Busan OC Center. An official space created through a collaboration between NAAVA and Fursys, the No. 1 office furniture company. It is a collaborative space designed to present a new trend in office environments.