A new architectural-defying project is about to offer an ecological way of life in one of the largest cities in the Netherlands. Comprised of two tower blocks, Wonderwoods will have tall trees and lush shrubs attached to it. It will offer a new urban living for people, trees and biodiversity all in one. We spoke with landscape architect Timo Cents who tells us all about this vertical forest in the city.

Image MVSA Architects

Two sustainable, green tower blocks called Wonderwoods are being constructed in the Netherlands. They are on the doorstep of Utrecht train central station, one of the country’s busiest. They will offer a whole new form of urban living. Thanks to the new towers, with trees and shrubs on its exterior, people will live in a city, among greenery. They will benefit from improved local air quality and dampened sounds. As well as protection from the summer sun and winter weather. For co-designers Stefano Boeri and MVSA Architects it is all about creating a new type of architectural biodiversity. Their focus is not only on human beings, but also on the relationship with other species.

Urban living: but then different

The new towers will include special watering systems and the roots of the trees will be supported in special ways. Futuristic-style abseiling gardeners will take care of it all.

“I see these green high-rises as a type of high, mountainous area. I imagine just as birds will look at it and see a nutrient-rich rocky landscape.” It’s what Wonderwoods landscape architect Timo Cents tells us about this new urban living. “The natural tree line is at 2,000 meters. So why should we limit ourselves to ground level when building such an environment?” he adds. Explaining how they opted for the types of greenery that have evolutionised for difficult conditions at higher levels, he said: “Think of the rowan, oak, gorse or pine.”

“Many city developers have been pursuing the policy of a compact, dense development. They have done so to help absorb the pressure on the housing market,” said Cents. “The disadvantage of this urban living strategy,” he continued, “is that residents are living increasingly distant from nature.” In cities, we seem to have lost our connection with the seasons. We don’t notice whether it’s hot or cold outside, and we sit indoors when it rains. “Greenery is normally a far-away concept in this stony environment,” he added.

A similar urban living project has already been completed by Stefano Boeri in Milan. It’s called Bosco Verticale, or Vertical Forest. The architect company has called it as a home for trees, humans and birds. One that defies urban, architectural and technological characteristics.

“I see these green high-rises as a type of high, mountainous area. I imagine just as birds will look at it and see a nutrient-rich rocky landscape.”

Vertical Forest: An urban-living, multi-species opportunity

The Vertical Forest is the prototype building for a new format of architectural biodiversity and urban living. Its focus is on the relationship between humans and other living species. The concept behind the Vertical Forest is: A home for trees that also houses humans and birds.

A similar version of it was first built in Milan. It consists of two towers of 80 and 112 metres high. Together they house 800 trees, 15,000 perennials and 5,000 shrubs: equivalent to 30,000 square metres of woodland and shrubs.

As a plant-based shield, the tower does not reflect or magnify the sun’s rays, but filters them. It also creates a welcome internal microclimate. At the same time, the green curtain regulates humidity, produces oxygen and absorbs CO2 and microparticles.

Source: Stefano Boeri Architetti

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