Introduction
(Nature around at every turn!)
Meet the Bosco Verticale, or Vertical Forest; the world's tallest, residential high-rise building, covered entirely in plants and trees! This new type of architectural biodiversity, emphasizes the relationship between humans and other living species of life.
Nature At Your Doorstep
(Hosts about 100 different plant species, including 15 species of trees, 45 shrubs and 34 types of perennials)
Cities are in danger! More than half of the world's population live in cities; many of which are huge contributors to global climate change. According to UN Habitat, cities consume 78% of the world's energy and produce more than 60% of greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, they only account for less than 2% of the Earth's surface. So, what can be done to help combat the effects of climate change in our cities? The Vertical Forest, conceived by Stefano Boeri Architects, shows us just how simple it is, to transform modern structures; into lush co-habitable living environments.
Construction of the VF (Vertical Forest), started in 2009, and was completed in 2013. The project is located in Milan's Porta Nuova area; and consist of two towers that are respectively 80 and 112 meters high. Each floor is surrounded by terraces with numerous green space, with over 800 trees, shrubs and plants. The trees are tether to the building for stability in high winds; and to reduce the risk of fire; groundsman routinely irrigate and prune the trees, shrubs, and garden. Architect, Stefan Boeri, is now working on similar projects in Africa, Switzerland, and a Forest City, in Mexico.
Benefits of Green Cities
(The terraces, genuine outdoor extensions of the living spaces are home to over a dozen trees (ranging from 3 to 9 metres in height))
There are many advantages to living in an echo-diverse community, like the Vertical Forest. For starters, the vegetation covering VF's facade, is designed to continuously filter between the inside and out, of the inhabited areas. This green filter is able to diffuse harmful particles produced by the urban traffic below; absorb CO2 and release it back as fresh O2; as well as shield the balconies and interiors from outside noise pollution.
On top of the added benefit of living in an actual air and sound filtration plant (pun intended); more than 20 species of birds, nest in its trees and shrubs, throughout the year. How lovely is that? Some of the feathery friends, known to call VF home; include the Martin, the Redstart and Pale Swift. You can also create or buy a bird feeder, and have quality time with your friends and family, watching birds.
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Conclusion
The Bosco Verticale, is an amazing example of tall building, covered in plants and trees. Pretty soon, major cities like New York, will be undergoing the transformation into green habitats, and I am all for it. I like the idea of having access to your own park on the balcony, and having birds sing to you every morning. I mean, what else could one ask for? The added benefit of having clean air to breathe, a quiet place to recharge, as well as sociable wildlife; I'd say the Vertical Forest is definitely one of my top picks for ideal urban living.
Project: Boeri Studio (Stefano Boeri, Gianandrea Barreca, Giovanni La Varra) Location: Milan, Italy Year: 2007 - 2014 Client: COIMA Sgr (ex HINES Italia s.r.l.) Commission: Residential towers
Surface: Project area: 29 300 mq; GFA: 18,200 sqm; H: 112 and 80 m
Design team:
Stefano Boeri (founding partner); (progettazione esecutiva) Davor Popovic,
Francesco de Felice; (progettazione architettonica)
Fase 1- Masteplan e preliminary design: Frederic de Smet (Coordination), Daniele Barillari, Julien Boatyard, Matilde Cassani, Andrea Casetto, Francesca Cesa Bianchi, Inge Lengwenus, Corrado Longa, Eleanna Kotsikou, Matteo Marzi, Emanuela Messina, Andrea Sellanes.
Fase 2 - Final design: Gianni Bertoldi (Coordination), Alessandro Agosti, Marco Brega, Andrea Casetto, Matteo Colognese, Angela Parrozzani, Stefano Onnis
Consultants:
Arup Italia s.r.l. (Structural engineering); Deerns Italia S.p.A. (Facilities design); Tekne s.p.a. (progetto esecutivo); LAND s.r.l. (progetto parco); Alpina S.p.A. (infrastruttura); MI.PR.AV. s.r.l. (direzione lavori); Studio Emanuela Borio and Laura Gatti (consulente botanico)
Immagini Paolo Rosselli, Giovanni Nardi
