architect: Stefano Boeri Architetti
location: Losanna
Switzerland will have the honour to house a vertical forest as well as Milan. The project designed by Studio Boeri Architetti is the result of the competition for the construction of a residential tower in Chavannes-Près-Renens in Lausanne. Among the finalists, architect Mario Botta; Dahl Rocha Richter & Associés Architectes; Goettsch Partners. Designed in collaboration with Buro Happold Engineering for the structures and the agronomist Laura Gatti for the vegetal components, the new green tower will be realised by the famous Swiss developer Bernard Nicod. Named the "Tower of Cedars" will be inhabited by 24,000 plants among which, 100 cedar trees of four different kinds, as well as 6,000 shrubs and 18,000 perennials, ground cover, falling plants. The cedar is a majestic and long-lived tree, considered a sacred tree since ancient times and able to adapt to the most extreme climates of the Middle East and Himalaya. A real "natural monument" that can live over 2,500 years. This new vertical forest will be the first tall building in the world, consisting of evergreen trees (80%) and important for its ecological contribution on fine dust setting by the leaves, CO2 absorbtion and oxygen production. The tower will measure 117 meters and will count 36 floors for private residences (2 to 5 rooms), offices, services, a gym and a rooftop panoramic restaurant.
"... An architecture able to graft a significant biodiversity of plants in the heart of a great European city. The Tower of Cedars, thanks to its shapes and color changing during the seasons, will become a landmark in the landscape of Lake Geneva..." Stefano Boeri
