If you have spent time in some of China’s larger cities, you will have experienced some of the most abysmal air quality in the world. Cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an are choking on a mix of dust and toxic chemicals, the result of heavy industrialisation and car usage. However, one Italian designer reckons he has a solution.
Stefano Boeri gained fame for a tower he designed in Milan, which featured a liberal application of outdoor greenery. He is known for his taste for natural-looking buildings, but for China, he is postulating something considerably more extreme. He wants to retrofit vertical gardens on to buildings in these major cities, where they can aid the fight against air pollution.
His design involves over two thousand native plants per building, across nearly 25 species. They cling to balconies and the roof, while large vertical garden and green wall facades hang from the sides. By greatly increasing the amount of greenery in the city, he hopes to improve upon the state of affairs in these cities.
There are other benefits, too. Buildings covered with plant life are more insulated and shaded, and will cost less to keep cool in the summer months. They provide habitat for birds and insect species. And many of the plants can bear edible fruits. As well, the stress of living in these fast-paced cities can have impacts upon the mental health of the locals living there. More greenery creates a more relaxed setting, reducing issues with anxiety and burnout.
These are ambitious goals, but at Living Holmes, we also feel as though urban plant life is an underutilised resource. Perhaps in days to come, we will see this trend begin to take off here in Melbourne, as well.
Company : Living Holmes Design
Contact : Travis Holmes
Address : 1/16 Vesper Drive, Narre Warren, VIC 3805
Phone : 0428 412 860
Email : info@vertiscape.com.au
Website : https://www.livingholmesdesign.com.au