A new mixed-use project from Stefano Boeri Architects, Nanjing Vertical Forest will comprise two towers rising from a 20-meter shared podium. What makes this project unique is, according to the architects, this will be the first vertical forest built not only in China, but in all of Asia.
The building’s facades will feature 600 tall trees and 500 medium trees from 23 different local species. Another 2,500 cascading plants and shrubs will be included, as well. In total, the trees and other plants will cover a 6 square mile area and absorb 25 tons of CO2 per year. The plants will also produce about 60 kilograms of oxygen per day. To help put that into perspective, the average person needs 0.84 kilograms of oxygen per day, according to NASA.
One of the towers will rise 200 meters and be topped with a “green lantern” while the other tower will rise 108 meters. The 200-meter tower will include a museum, a green architecture school, and a private rooftop club. The 108-meter tower will house a 247-room Hyatt hotel and a rooftop swimming pool. Both towers will rise from a 20-meter podium that will host retail space, a food market, restaurants, a conference hall, and exhibition spaces.
The project is Stefano Boeri Architects’ third vertical forest prototype, after Milan and Lausanne. The firm plans to bring vertical forests to other Chinese cities such as Guizhou, Shanghai, and Chongqing at a later date. The Nanjing Vertical Forest will be completed in 2018.
Rendering courtesy of Stefano Boeri Architects.
Rendering courtesy of Stefano Boeri Architects.
Related Stories
| Oct 6, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: NEXT Living EcoSuite showcased
Tridel teams up with Cisco and Control4 to unveil the future of green condo living in Canada.
| Oct 5, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Johnson Controls announces Panoptix, a new approach to building efficiency
Panoptix combines latest technology, new business model and industry-leading expertise to make building efficiency easier and more accessible to a broader market.
| Oct 5, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Sustainable construction should stress durability as well as energy efficiency
There is now a call for making enhanced resilience of a building’s structure to natural and man-made disasters the first consideration of a green building.
| Oct 5, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Solar PV canopy system expanded for architectural market
Turnkey systems create an aesthetic architectural power plant.
| Oct 5, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Brick offers growing options for sustainable building design
Brick exteriors, interiors and landscaping options can increase sustainability that also helps earn LEED certification.
| Oct 4, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Two new recycled glass products announced
The two collections offer both larger and smaller particulates.
| Oct 4, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Wall protection line now eligible to contribute to LEED Pilot Credit 43
The Cradle-to-Cradle Certified Wall Protection Line offers an additional option for customers to achieve LEED project certification.
| Sep 23, 2011
Okanagan College sets sights on Living Buildings Challenge
The Living Building Challenge requires projects to meet a stringent list of qualifications, including net-zero energy and water consumption, and address critical environmental, social and economic factors.
| Sep 19, 2011
Portland team hired as LEED and commissioning consultants for $5.5B downtown sustainable project in Qatar
The $5.5 billion sustainable downtown regeneration project underway by Msheireb Properties will transform a 76 acres site at the centre of Doha, Qatar’s capital city, recreating a way of living that is rooted in Qatari culture, attracting residents back to the city center and reversing the trend for decentralization.
| Sep 14, 2011
USGBC L.A. Chapter's Green Gala features Jason McLennan as keynote speaker
The Los Angeles Chapter of the nonprofit USGBC will launch its Sustainable Innovation Awards this year during the chapter's 7th Annual Green Gala on Thursday, November 3.