The building named the Vertical Forest Wonderwoods in the Netherlands is set to plant approximately 10,000 small trees and 300 large trees of 30 different species.
Since the twin tower Bosco Verticale in Italy received critical acclaim, the firm Stefano Boeri Architetti, led by Italian architect Stefano Boeri, has continued to design many tree-covered buildings around the world, as reported by New Atlas on May 26. The latest project, called the Vertical Forest Wonderwoods, is expected to be adorned with thousands of trees, including hundreds of large trees, equivalent to around 10,000m2 of forest.
Design of the Vertical Forest Wonderwoods in Utrecht, Netherlands. (Photo: Stefano Boeri).
The Vertical Forest Wonderwoods is located in Utrecht, Netherlands, and is part of a larger project that includes two buildings. Stefano Boeri Architetti designed the taller tower, which stands 105 meters high. The project will feature apartments, office spaces, restaurants, and impressive landscaping. Trees will be planted in external pots, providing greenery to the balconies.
“The Vertical Forest Wonderwoods will contain 200 apartments of various types, suitable for many users, and 15,000m2 of office space. Additionally, on the building’s facade, there will be approximately 10,000 small trees and 300 large trees of 30 different species, equivalent to the vegetation found in 1 hectare (10,000m2) of forest. The project represents a true urban ecosystem, inspired by the vegetation in the Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park, and can produce about 41 tons of oxygen each year,” explained Stefano Boeri Architetti.
“Plants also reduce urban noise pollution. In summer, the shade of the foliage helps mitigate the heat island effect, lowering temperatures on the facade and inside the building, thus significantly impacting the local microclimate, the health of residents, while saving energy used for air conditioning,” the company added.
The trees will be cared for by a team of “flying gardeners.” They will use specialized equipment and move gradually from the top of the building down, similar to some of Boeri’s other projects. There is currently no information on the irrigation method for the Vertical Forest Wonderwoods, but previous projects by the firm have installed rainwater harvesting systems.
The construction of the new building is currently underway, with the trees being positioned by cranes and professional gardeners. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2024.
