Vertical Forest Milan, Italy
Act locally … think vertically! Here’s the second vertical forest we’ve come across. This one sent to us via Matt LeGrant who found it as a Facebook posting.
By the way … it’s not the first reforestation project of this sort as the Facebook posting suggests. Last October 2011,we reported on this architectural phenomenon already happening in Japan.
Here’s what Matt’s email had to say:
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From a recent Facebook post:
A fascinating new pair of residential towers called Bosco Verticale is being constructed at Milan, Italy. Designed by architect Stefano Boeri, Bosco Verticale is being construed as a project for metropolitan reforestation that contributes to the regeneration of the environment and urban biodiversity without the implication of expanding the city upon the territory. Towering over the city’s skyline the world’s first forest in the sky will be a sight to behold. The 27 storied building will accommodate nearly one hectare of forest trees as tall as oak and amelanchiers in its cleverly designed balconies. The 365 and 260 foot emerald twin towers will house an astonishing 900 trees, 5,000 shrubs and 11,000 ground cover plants.
This is a concept illustration of how Bosco Verticale will look like when completed.
In summer, the trees will provide shade and filter the city‚s dust; in winter, sunlight will shrine through the bare branches. Bosco Verticale’s greenery will absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, while protecting the building from wind and penetrating sunlight. Boeri claims that the inclusion of trees adds just 5 percent to construction costs, and is a necessary response to the sprawl of the modern city. If the units were individual houses, it would require 50,000 sq m of land, and 10,000 sq m of woodland.
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What do you think about this architecture? Has anyone else encountered a sustainable project like this? We’d love to include a post about any other project that includes such a tremendous amount of reforestation so cleverly done as the one in Japan and this one in Italy. Truly a innovative design concept that forwards green and sustainable living. Please either post a note below and include a link or photo or send an email to:
abigail@cohousingcollaborative.com
Posted by: Ann Zabaldo, Principal Partner, Cohousing Collaborative, LLC
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Although the MIlan towers have a visual effect similar to the vegetated building in Fukuoka, it differs in that it employs a large quantity of trees all in the same footprint and uses potential living space to accommodate them. While I would be one of the first to admit that the forested towers look very appealing, I wonder if there is a purpose besides aesthetics. I’m also wondering if the artist hasn’t overstated the biomass potential of the plantings. Obviously, the plantings will need substantial rooting medium and vast quantities of water considering the exposure and high wind velocity. With all the plantings in the same rainfall footprint, natural precipitation will not supply a significant portion of the water water requirements. Perhaps they’ll be irrigated with recycled greywater? Because of the danger of branches falling from a great height onto pedestrians below, will they all need to be secured with cables?