Vertical Forest

The Vertical Forest of Milan is an innovative residential complex located in the Porta Nuova district, designed by Boeri Studio, consisting of two towers of 110 and 76 meters in height. Inaugurated in 2014, it represents an ambitious project of urban reforestation, with over 2,000 plant species including trees, shrubs, and perennial plants distributed along the facades. This innovative use of urban greenery aims to increase biodiversity, improve the city’s microclimate, and reduce urban sprawl. The idea of the Vertical Forest was born from an intuition of Stefano Boeri during a trip to Dubai in 2007. Struck by the lack of greenery in modern cities, Boeri conceived the project as a “house for trees inhabited by humans.” The concept was formalized through a manifesto and promoted by Hines Italy as part of the Porta Nuova urban redevelopment project. Construction began in 2009, but experienced delays due to the economic crisis, only completing in 2014 with the intervention of Colombo Costruzioni. The Vertical Forest has received numerous international awards, including the International Highrise Award in 2014 and the title of “Best Architecture in the World 2015” from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Its uniqueness lies in the integration of a “living facade” that contributes to urban ecology, improving air quality, reducing noise pollution, and creating habitats for various animal species. The appearance of the towers changes with the seasons thanks to the variety of plant species. In spring, the facades are colored in delicate pastel shades, while warm tones dominate in autumn. The arrangement of plants is designed to maximize climatic and environmental benefits: evergreen species are positioned to the southwest to provide shading, while deciduous plants are placed to the northeast to take advantage of winter light. The Vertical Forest is not only a model of sustainable architecture, but also a symbol of urban regeneration. Located in one of the most dynamic areas of Milan, the complex helps reduce the city’s environmental impact and represents a virtuous example of how architecture can respond to contemporary environmental challenges. The project has inspired other cities around the world, including the Chinese municipality of Shijiazhuang, where a green and sustainable city based on the Milanese model is being built. This demonstrates the global reach of the Vertical Forest as an example of integrated urban development with nature.