Architecture

Vincent Callebaut's greenery-covered tower bears fruit

Vincent Callebaut's greenery-covered tower bears fruit
Arboricole was designed for an architectural competition and is envisioned for Angers, France
Arboricole was designed for an architectural competition and is envisioned for Angers, France
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Arboricole would rise to 35 m (114 ft) in height
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Arboricole would rise to 35 m (114 ft) in height
Arboricole was designed for an architectural competition and is envisioned for Angers, France
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Arboricole was designed for an architectural competition and is envisioned for Angers, France
Arboricole would comprise 9,400 sq m (101,180 sq ft) of floorspace
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Arboricole would comprise 9,400 sq m (101,180 sq ft) of floorspace
Arboricole's wave-like facade with integrated balconies would be made from limestone
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Arboricole's wave-like facade with integrated balconies would be made from limestone
Arboricole would include a total of 20,000 perennials, shrubs, and trees
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Arboricole would include a total of 20,000 perennials, shrubs, and trees
Arboricole would include 50 apartments a hotel, concert hall, an area for artists and a restaurant up on the rooftop
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Arboricole would include 50 apartments a hotel, concert hall, an area for artists and a restaurant up on the rooftop
Geothermal and solar power would account for 60 percent of heating and hot water and up to 40 percent of Arboricole's electrical use
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Geothermal and solar power would account for 60 percent of heating and hot water and up to 40 percent of Arboricole's electrical use
Arboricole features Callebaut's trademark blend of greenery and sustainable architecture
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Arboricole features Callebaut's trademark blend of greenery and sustainable architecture
Inside one of Arboricole's apartments
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Inside one of Arboricole's apartments
Some of Arboricole's greenery would produce fruit and vegetables
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Some of Arboricole's greenery would produce fruit and vegetables 
Arboricole would comprise 9,400 sq m (101,180 sq ft) of floorspace
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Arboricole would comprise 9,400 sq m (101,180 sq ft) of floorspace
Arboricole would be topped by a huge solar power array
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Arboricole would be topped by a huge solar power array 
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Vincent Callebaut Architectures recently unveiled a new conceptual mixed-use tower named Arboricole. Envisioned for Angers, France, the project features Callebaut's usual blend of greenery and high-tech sustainable technology, and would produce fruit and vegetables for its residents to pick.

Arboricole would rise to 35 m (114 ft) and comprise a total floorspace of 9,400 sq m (101,180 sq ft) split between 50 apartments, a hotel, concert hall, an area for artists, office space, and a rooftop restaurant.

The building's curving facade would enable large greenery-covered balcony spaces. Callebaut envisions some 20,000 perennial plants, shrubs, and trees being planted, including those that produce fruit and vegetables. Green-fingered residents would then be invited to pick the food.

Some of the most notable sustainable technology conceived for the project includes a geothermal heating system and solar power, with the latter producing up to 40 percent of the building's electrical needs, according to the firm's calculations. Arboricole would also include a rainwater capture system that could feed the plants and some kind of biomass generator, as well as excellent insulation. It would be built using sustainably-sourced building materials, too.

Arboricole would include 50 apartments a hotel, concert hall, an area for artists and a restaurant up on the rooftop
Arboricole would include 50 apartments a hotel, concert hall, an area for artists and a restaurant up on the rooftop

Arboricole was designed for an architectural competition and, as it didn't win, seems likely to remain on the drawing board. That said, this kind of greenery-covered tower is increasingly popular at the moment.

Callebaut's own Agora Garden Tower is on the rise in Taipei, while Stefano Boeri is busily producing several tree-covered towers around the world in quick succession, including the Trudo Vertical Forest and Forêt Blanche tower.

Source: Vincent Callebaut Architectures

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