The Bosco Verticale is a system that optimizes, recuperates,
and produces energy. Covered in plant life, the building aids in balancing the
microclimate and in filtering the dust particles contained in the urban
environment (Milan is one of the most polluted cities in Europe). The diversity
of the plants and their characteristics produce humidity, absorb CO2 and dust
particles, producing oxygen and protect the building from radiation and
acoustic pollution. This not only improves the quality of living spaces, but
gives way to dramatic energy savings year round.
Each apartment in the building will have a balcony planted
with trees that are able to respond to the city’s weather — shade will be
provided within the summer, while also filtering city pollution; and in the
winter the bare trees will allow sunlight to permeate through the spaces. Plant
irrigation will be supported through the filtering and reuse of the greywater
produced by the building. Additionally, Aeolian and photovoltaic energy systems
will further promote the tower’s self-sufficiency.
The design of the Bosco Verticale is a response to both
urban sprawl and the disappearance of nature from our lives and on the
landscape. The architect notes that if the units were to be constructed
unstacked as stand-alone units across a single surface, the project would
require 50,000 square meters of land, and 10,000 square meters of woodland.
Bosco Verticale is the first offer in his proposed BioMilano, which envisions a
green belt created around the city to incorporate 60 abandoned farms on the
outskirts of the city to be revitalized for community use.
Towering over the city skyline, these are the world's first
forest in the sky apartments, complete with a living space that is also your
garden.
With trees equal to one hectare of forest spanning 27
floors, these 365 and 260-foot emerald, twin towers will be home to an
astonishing 730 trees, 5,000 shrubs and 11,000 ground plants. ***
Basking in the north Italian sun, the towers, called the
Bosco Verticale, are under construction in the city of Milan - and the plants
are being grown in pots while their new home is being prepared.
Director of Boeri Studios, Michele Brunello, 35, has been
managing the project for his urban design and architecture firm since it was
designed in 2006.
'The idea for a vertical forest came when we were involved
in a local tree planting project,' he explained.
'We imaged a building that allowed the landscape to enter
it.
'By creating a tower that truly becomes a home for the
landscape we have a powerful tool.'
Brunello's concept is designed to save on land, which, he
said, is a precious resource in the centre of a major city.
'We can provide the quality of life of expensive housing
without consuming the resources that conventional housing would demand.
'On top of this we have a building that is a world symbol
for sustainable living.
Bosco Verticale has been designed as a home to a variety of
plant life, which planners hope will act as a filter to pollution from traffic,
shade people from the Mediterranean sun and will change its appearance each
season - with new plants coming alive at spring time and rich colours being
displayed during autumn.
Apartments range in price from £560,000 for a low level 80
square meter apartment to £1.7 million for a 200 square meter penthouse with
commanding views of the city.
'The interesting aspect to the way people live with the
trees is that they don't own them - they are communal,' said Brunello.
'This means that all the plants have been picked by the
designers to be suitable to the height and correct side of the building.
'So the people aren't just choosing an apartment based on
the size and view.
'But also they need to consider which trees and plants they
will be living with.'
Concrete jungle: The twin emerald towers will reach 365 and
260 feet in height when completed
Safety is also a major factor and Brunello explained: 'If a
tree was blown down in the wind from a great height this could be a huge
problem.
'So we tested various trees in a wind turbine to make sure
we had the right ones.'
When the sky forest is completed by the end of 2012 the
structure will house the same amount of residents as 50,000 square meters of
conventional urban sprawl.
The towers will not only be home to human residents but to
the insects, birds and animals that usually live in the parks of Milan.
The towers, which are still under construction, are the
brainchild of world renowned Milan architect, 55 year-old Stefano Boeri.
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