The Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) will be the greenest building in Milan when completed, which is one of Europe’s most polluted cities.
Designed by Stefan Boeri Architects, as part of their BioMilano vision to incorporate 60 abandoned farms into a greenbelt surrounding the city. The Bosco Verticale building has a green façade planted with dense forest systems to provide a building microclimate and to filter out polluting dust particles. The living bio-canopy also absorbs CO2, oxygenates the air, moderates extreme temperatures and lowers noise pollution, providing aesthetic beauty and lowering living costs.
Each apartment balcony will have trees (900 plantings are planned for the two buildings) that will provide shade in the summer and drop their leaves in winter to allow in winter sunlight. Plant irrigation is provided via a grey-water filtration. Additionally, photovoltaic power generation will help provide sustainable power to the building.
Visit: http://www.stefanoboeriarchitetti.net/
Via Inhabitat
Comments
should use vines and edibles...
Also, how would they prevent branches etc from failing onto the streets?
It is a magnificent idea, very aesthetic and hopefully functional. I´d like to see this happen
Roots certainly won't maintain the structure, in fact, quite the contrary..
The average plant has as much size below ground as above, and those roots will infiltrate the concrete causing water to enter, and cracking the concrete every time the temperature drops below freezing.
Looks fantastic in this rendering, but the finished building will probably be a big disappointment.
A root system to anything larger than a bush requires LOTS of room to grow both deep and wide to stabilize the tree. Root systems will continue to grow regardless of the size of the tops of the tree (even if well maintained and pruned). High winds which are typical of high-rise structures will leave the trees susceptible to breaking branches, or (if the roots are not DEEP enough) a possible falling of the entire tree.
Secondly, the watering and feeding of the trees are simply not long-term solutions for a tree's survivability. Just watering trees of that size will require LOTS of water to be run throughout the building for irrigation adding tremendous amounts of weight to the structure. (Not to mention that constantly 'watering' a building is not ideal, as water is the number one reason for deteriorating steel structures).
As for nutrition, (given that the roots are able to support the tree) over time, the dirt will become 'dead' and lacking the sufficient nutrients for a tree to continue living. Think of it this way, a tree takes nutrients and makes leaves, leaves fall off in winter, spring comes and new leaves are grown. This requires lots of nutrients, which are being lost when the leaves fall off, and without a self-replenishing soil system (as found in forests, where leaves and decomposing organic matter add much needed nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to the soil), the trees will simply waste away. Anyone who has kept a plant in a pot for too long will know this!
Honestly, 900 plants between two buildings? How much is the cost of these 'green' buildings? I would bet ANYTHING that constructing two high-rises that house the same amount of people AND covered completely in solar panels, would still leave enough money to plant well over 1000 plants around the city in either parks or along road-sides.
Lastly, I respect the ambition of the architects and government working together to try and solve a serious problem. HOWEVER, projects such as these need to be tested on smaller-scale projects of only 2-4 stories before a high-rise is constructed. Not just to test the strength of the building, but also long-term solutions to keeping the building structurally sound, the trees alive, and the cost-to-benefit ratio of what is being spent compared to just how much of a difference in air-quality this is actually accomplishing...
Yes, the designers of this project HOPEFULLY have considered all of these factors and have done their homework as to which types of plants are practical (while still delivering high air quality), and how to design a structure that can resist roots and water-damage inherent when combining organic and inorganic. I just think that the 'statement' they are trying to make by building this Goliath, may have out-weighed the impracticality of the project.
I would like to maybe make some suggestions to the project, which may add benefits for having trees integrated into a high-rise:
1. A simple water-filtration using the root systems and 'ground' of the balconies to filter non-potable water into useable drinking or 'washing' water.
2. An advanced 'composting' system which will both reduce the buildings waste out-put, AND add valuable nutrients to the soil systems
3. Larger water catchments on top. It is easier to let water run down pipes from the roof, than pump it up 15 floors...
4. Someone mentioned photo-voltaics? (solar panels)....Great! Add more.
Best of luck to anyone who wants to spend a pretty penny (or Euro) and believes it will last 50 years.
Instead , had they gone for Larry Becker kind of building that would have become a role model.
Also, the issues of roots cracking concrete may be contained by installing a gridded structural steel unit system that is essentially a a cage that can contain soil and provide room for roots to grow. This system is used in urban plazas and sidewalks, to prevent tree roots from cracking and dislodging surface pavers. For those concerned about damage from moisture to steel.Remember that steel can be protected against corrosion, think stainless steel or hot dipped galvanized. Also, I would hope that the detailing to protect the structural system from moisture damage is meticulous. Control joints can be used in the concrete to control potential cracking, and these control joints can be protected against moisture.
I think the biggest issue with this concept would be maintenance. Also, I'm not convinced, given the need for regular maintenance, that any energy savings to be had from shading and photovoltaic panels would offset the cost of living in this building.
I think the efforts to provide gardens for tower dwellers are commendable as well as the effort to increase urban biomass. It is something that more designers should explore. Critics need to remember that technical issues of incorporating vegetation into architectural systems are in the relatively early stages of investigation and research. This doesn't mean that efforts in this direction should not be made. These types of projects become case studies for future designs. We learn from both the failings and the successes.
Also, every time you see an architectural render of this nature, take it with a rather large grain of salt. Renders often convey the fantasy or the guiding vision of a project rather than the finished product, and they are often produced well before any technical issues have been resolved. Think of them as a means to communicate the dream of the project
Man cannot successfully replicate the natural environment with as much detail as millions of years of evolution .... no matter how hard one tries.
2) Roof gardens are NEVER dirt-on-concrete. EPDM and other "synthetic rubber" roofing systems are always used to prevent water intrusion and therefore prevent root penetration (The roots are chasing water, not "exploring" randomly into the depths of the building)
3) Everyone knows that a tree with a limited amount of soil/root space will stop growing (that is in fact what Bonsai trees are all about).
More CO2 absorbed, more oxygen produced and lots
More building material,
Paper material, biodegradable plastic material, food material, etc etc created. Wake up People, cannabis (hemp) is here to help us.
but, what will happen when the Forest INDUSTRY comes to clear-cut your house!!!!! :-) TIMBER!! from 20th floor!!!
Pretty amazing project all around; I wonder if they considered having vines hanging from the balconies to form a kind of green curtain in places.
But seriously, it's a good idea if it's meany as a symbolic gesture toward a greener way of living. It is pleasing that it states that it is being done in conjunction with the revitalization of 60 farms.
Clearly not many of the commentators have grown bonsai. It's not the great outdoors. The plants would be pruned over time and have their vertical growth restricted. The logistical problem would arise when they need to be "re-potted" every 5 years or so to refresh the soil.
Also, I think the image of the trees on the edge of buildings is the romanticized version. The actual building would have internal courtyards and lots of shrubs. No liability of falling branches.
Very cool project but I doubt it would be possible in actual scale.
It's all how you look at the problem. Think of the building as a "Bonsai" vase. Than all the plants, both big and small are nothing more than "Bonsai" plants. Yes, large ones, but the same way of growing and cultivating is real. I live in Japan and have never seen a plant crack, break, or in some way make it's 'home vase' weaker. Come on folks, give the plants some respect, they have their own unique intelligence. That's why....
This project will be a success and the future of habitat living will be changed for ever. Get ready to spread your picnic blanket on the 19th floor and don't forget the vino! :-)
Thank you for reading
But nice move in thinking that way ...
If so; what a very thoughtfully innovated concept. No solutions come without courage and sacrifice; but the long term rewards for our children are well worth the small inconviences; but really it is all in reconditioning our minds to a new acceptable norm.
When the project is rejected as stupid, the designer will wail to the fools how "backward" thinking are the city planners, and that more money is now needed for their home designs. The fools will pay and be smug about it.
Also tree's roots don't necessarily need to grow down, they can, if directed, grow out. It's like a tomato plant or a vine that will conform to the shape of that which they are climbing. That is potentially their solution to the root problem.
All in all I think this is brilliant! It will be both aesthetically beautiful and environmentally useful. It is a wonderful way to incorporate green living into architecture!
I do hope however that while they're working on off-setting the city's pollution, the government is also trying to invest in different projects that teach people how to reduce it at the source. Sometimes complex ideas stomp out the simpler ones that can make a difference too.
I think different areas of the building are good though; renewable energy, more employment, etc.
ps..the roots would draw moisture from concrete & make matters worse...otherwise would LOVE to LIVE THERE!