Vertical forests take green buildings to a new level
Many years ago, I recall witnessing a discussion at the Vancouver development permit board about growing trees up the side of a tower proposed for the corner of West Georgia and Thurlow streets.
The city's then-director of planning, Larry Beasley, was enthusiastic about the idea, but there was a practical problem. The trees would have to be maintained, which would have probably required entering people's condos on a regular basis to get to them. So in the end, the Shangri La Vancouver was developed without the inclusion of a vertical forest.
Now, it seems, this idea has been revived by Stefano Boeri Architetti, an Italian architectural firm. It's developing two residential towers in Milan—110 and 76 meters in height—that will include 900 trees and other shrubbery.
It's a terrific way to offset greenhouse-gas emissions. Maybe it's time for the Vancouver planning department to revisit this idea.
Comments
6 Comments
Mike C
Dec 26, 2011 at 6:46pm
Interesting idea but did they overlook the fact that trees require roots? Won't they simply grow through the floor, concrete or otherwise? You can't just put trees like this in planters. Maybe I'm being pessimistic, but I think it's just inviting leaky condos.
Birdy
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:55pm
Yeah let's build one here.
Wind storms won't be a problem at all..
Honestly, who would insure a building that dangerous in downtown Vancouver? Maybe the idea is to put these in densely populated areas to fight overpopulation, not pollution as they say.
Taxpayers R Us
Dec 26, 2011 at 10:23pm
Vancouver's planning department is not interested unless, of course, they can use part of the budget as a slush fund for personal projects.
yesdothis
Dec 27, 2011 at 1:47am
A project like this would be an interesting and exciting idea. Sadly, Vancouver is not a very interesting and exciting city.
What about the view
Dec 27, 2011 at 6:42am
People will start cutting down the trees just like they do along the coastline. Who will pay $2 million plus for a condo with no balcony and no view?
Bill McCreery1
Dec 27, 2011 at 1:30pm
I've done a couple of projects where we planted real [read big] trees on largish decks. So it can be done, but, here's my experience:
1) a real tree [with a decent sized canopy also requires a decent sized root system = a very large planter = a lot of weight = a very expensive structural support system. They also require special waterproof planter liners that repel roots = more $s.
2) trees in planters do require regular watering and maintenance. Evidently this is a pain and an expense the strata council decided it didn't need = trees were removed.
Too bad. The trees were an integral part of the design concept for that part of the complex. They not only played a green role, but also provided privacy and shade, and aesthetically softened the walkway bridges and building elements.