Architecture

Stefano Boeri's greenery-covered buildings blossom in China

Stefano Boeri's greenery-covered buildings blossom in China
The Nanjing Vertical Forest consists of two greenery-covered skyscrapers reaching a height of 200 m (656 ft) and 108 m (354 ft)
The Nanjing Vertical Forest consists of two greenery-covered skyscrapers reaching a height of 200 m (656 ft) and 108 m (354 ft)
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The Easyhome Huanggang Vertical Forest is an ambitious development covering 4.54 hectares (11.22 acres) near Wuhan that will include residences, hotels and commercial space
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The Easyhome Huanggang Vertical Forest is an ambitious development covering 4.54 hectares (11.22 acres) near Wuhan that will include residences, hotels and commercial space
The Easyhome Huanggang Vertical Forest will contain a total of five towers, two of which will be covered in greenery
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The Easyhome Huanggang Vertical Forest will contain a total of five towers, two of which will be covered in greenery
A crane recently installed the first tree at the Easyhome Huanggang Vertical Forest and there are now another 395 trees, 3,600 shrubs and 12,000 perennials to be added before its official opening in February, 2021
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A crane recently installed the first tree at the Easyhome Huanggang Vertical Forest and there are now another 395 trees, 3,600 shrubs and 12,000 perennials to be added before its official opening in February, 2021
"Our attention is constantly focused on the native flora of the regions in which we operate; we are looking for interesting species that are often little used in traditional gardening," explains Laura Gatti, the agronomist in charge of botanical development for the Vertical Forests
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"Our attention is constantly focused on the native flora of the regions in which we operate; we are looking for interesting species that are often little used in traditional gardening," explains Laura Gatti, the agronomist in charge of botanical development for the Vertical Forests
The Nanjing Vertical Forest is expected to be completed in May 2021
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The Nanjing Vertical Forest is expected to be completed in May 2021
The Nanjing Vertical Forest consists of two greenery-covered skyscrapers reaching a height of 200 m (656 ft) and 108 m (354 ft)
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The Nanjing Vertical Forest consists of two greenery-covered skyscrapers reaching a height of 200 m (656 ft) and 108 m (354 ft)
View gallery - 6 images

Following the popularity of Stefano Boeri Architetti's greenery-covered Bosco Verticale, similar "Vertical Forest" buildings are now taking root around the world, helping to add more plants and trees to inner-city areas. Two of these are now rising in China and are slated for completion early next year.

The largest of the two Vertical Forest projects headed by Stefano Boeri Architetti's China team is named the Easyhome Huanggang Vertical Forest City Complex. This is an ambitious development covering an area of 4.54 hectares (11.22 acres) near Wuhan. It includes a total of five towers, two of which will be covered in greenery and host apartments, with the rest home to hotels and commercial spaces. The buildings themselves are nearing completion and a crane recently installed the first tree at 90 m (295 ft) above the ground. There now remains another 395 trees, 3,600 shrubs and 12,000 perennials to be planted before the project's official opening in February, 2021.

"Our attention is constantly focused on the native flora of the regions in which we operate; we are looking for interesting species that are often little used in traditional gardening," explains Laura Gatti, the agronomist in charge of botanical development for the SBA Vertical Forests.

"In Huanggang, our botanical research has focused on species native to the Hubei region and many of the plants that we currently cultivate in our parks and gardens and that we Europeans know well have come to Europe from here. Although these species and varieties are well known to us, several of the species selected for Huanggang have been cultivated specifically for this project, since they are not found in nurseries in their regions of origin as they are considered too 'wild.' Their introduction adds value to the project in terms of biodiversity, attractiveness and identity."

The Easyhome Huanggang Vertical Forest is an ambitious development covering 4.54 hectares (11.22 acres) near Wuhan that will include residences, hotels and commercial space
The Easyhome Huanggang Vertical Forest is an ambitious development covering 4.54 hectares (11.22 acres) near Wuhan that will include residences, hotels and commercial space

Additionally, the Nanjing Vertical Forest, which we originally covered back in 2017, is slated for a May 2021 completion. The project consists of two greenery-covered towers that reach a height of 200 m (656 ft) and 108 m (354 ft). Between them, the towers will include office space, a hotel, a green architecture school, retail space, restaurants, a conference hall, and exhibition spaces.

Trees are currently being planted on the balconies of the towers and once complete, they will consist of 27 native plant species, 600 large trees, 200 medium-sized trees and over 2,500 shrubs and hanging plants.

Stefano Boeri Architetti has several other greenery-covered buildings slated for China, including the Rehabilitation Center Shenzhen and Liuzhou Forest City, plus even more on the way elsewhere in the world.

Source: Stefano Boeri Architetti

View gallery - 6 images
2 comments
2 comments
Eric
Hopefully it turns out better than this one. https://luxurylaunches.com/real_estate/this-vertical-forest-housing-project-in-china-went-horribly-wrong-as-residents-had-to-abandon-their-apartments-after-the-buildings-were-overrun-by-plants-and-mosquitoes.php
buzzclick
I have many plants in my home and I can tell you that they require consistent attention, and in return they make my place feel alive and inviting. Creating vertical green walls, of which we have seen many versions (thx Eric) fits right in to peoples' green sensibilities, but without proper maintenance may look overgrown and messy in 5-10 years, even less. And when really windy days come around, could be hazardous as well.