Green Roofs

Ingenhoven Architects has turned an area of inner-city Düsseldorf from gray to green with its recently-completed Kö-Bogen II. The mixed-use project hosts an incredible 5 miles of hedges on its exterior, making it Europe's largest green facade.

Work is nearing completion on a new art depot by MVRDV that offers insight into the world of art preservation and restoration. Named Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, the project features an eye-catching mirrored facade and is topped by a public garden.

Studio Okami has recently completed a green roof home that, from a certain angle, vanishes into its natural landscape setting. Dubbed Sloped Villa, the three-bedroom family home is built into the sloping hillside of Mont-de-l'Enclus in Belgium.

The LOHA-designed MLK1101 Supportive Housing in Los Angeles provides a safe and affordable home to homeless people and other vulnerable groups. It incorporates several energy-efficient elements, including a focus on natural lighting and ventilation.

Snøhetta's recently-completed Charles Library at Temple University features a striking granite and wood exterior, and is topped by a large green roof.

Heatherwick Studio will add some nature to Tokyo with a new district defined by an eye-catching building covered in greenery.

Stefano Boeri Architetti's line of greenery-infused architecture has made quite a splash by bringing a little nature to inner-city high-rise residents. The Italian firm's latest design in the same vein is slated for Egypt and consists of three cuboid buildings that are covered in plants and trees.

Vietnam's VTN Architects continues its pursuit of adding greenery-infused architecture to its homeland with a pair of new projects. The most notable, the Viettel Offsite Studio, is defined by a novel zigzagging form designed to provide staff with a green and comfortable work environment.

The International Olympic Committee recently received a new headquarters in Switzerland, courtesy of 3XN. Featuring an eye-catching glazed facade, the building boasts significant sustainable design, including rainwater collection, solar panels, and the use of recycled materials.

Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA) is planning to bring something of the Italian countryside to inner-city Milan with its Vitae project. The eye-catching building will host research facilities, offices and a restaurant, and will be covered in greenery, including a vineyard.

MAPA Architects has been producing its Minimod line of prefabricated homes for several years now. The firm's latest project involved it overcoming difficult conditions in southern Brazil to install an appealing green-roofed retreat in the forest.

Vincent Callebaut Architectures recently won a competition to renovate a historic thermal baths in Aix-les-Bains, France. The proposal calls for significant sustainable design and technology, including lots of greenery, solar panels, rainwater collection, and more.