China’s First “Vertical Forest” Blends the Comfort of Nature with Modern Urban Space
Hubei Province recently became home to the very first Vertical Forest in China. With the opening of Easyhome Huanggang Vertical Forest City Complex, its tree-lined façades make for a striking green landmark in Huanggang’s urban landscape.
Milan-based Stefano Boeri Architetti, which also has offices in Shanghai and Tirana, proved to be the perfect firm to tap for integrating greenery into the bustling city. Known for its long practice of redefining the relationship between city and nature, the studio envisioned a different urban experience for the inhabitants of the residential towers.
The complex, with its five towers, covers an area of 4.54 hectares. Two towers are residential and bear the vertical forest design. Designed to cater to the needs of different individuals, the complex also includes spaces for tourists and temporary guests. Three streets surround the complex, while each of the distinct areas connects to an open public space. The ground floors of the towers showcase façades mostly clad in vertical and modular elements. This design creates a visual effect of rhythm and dynamic movement. The commercial area also has a spacious semi-public greenery to align it with the vertical forest of the residential towers.
”The intervention, thus designed, allows an excellent view of the tree-lined façades, enhancing the sensorial experience of the greenery and integrating the plant landscape with the architectural dimension,” the studio said in their project statement. “Thus, the inhabitants of the residential towers have the opportunity to experience the urban space from a different perspective while fully enjoying the comfort of being surrounded by nature.”
Meanwhile, the residential towers also boast of a new Vertical Forest design. The cantilevered elements of the floors punctuate the uniformity of the buildings. Local species of trees and shrubs also serve as accents and ever-changing features of the façades. The Vertical Forest houses a total of 404 trees and 4,620 shrubs. These will absorb 22 tons of Carbon Dioxide per year, and produce 11 tons of Oxygen per year in turn. Finally, alternating open and closed balconies complete this new Vertical Forest concept. This design feature makes sure the plants and trees to grow freely in height. In addition, this variation provides a transition between the urban space and the natural environment.
Photography by RAW VISION Studio
