Bosco Verticale

DOCUMENTED FACTS Bosco Verticale consists of two residential towers, approximately 110 m and 76 m high. Stefano Boeri Architetti’s current project documentation records about 800 trees, 4,500 shrubs and 20,000 plants from roughly 100 species. The facade is organized by staggered cantilevered balconies projecting about 3 m, sized and positioned to accommodate tree canopies and large planters. The vegetation distribution responds to facade exposure: evergreens are concentrated toward southwest exposures and deciduous species toward northeast exposures. Dark porcelain-stoneware facade finishes form a bark-like backdrop while white stoneware balcony trims create a contrasting horizontal rhythm. LIVING FACADE / ENVIRONMENTAL ROLE The plants form a three-dimensional seasonal screen. The architect documents shading and evapotranspiration effects as part of the building’s microclimatic strategy. Species selection, growth, wind exposure and irrigation were treated as facade-engineering parameters rather than later decoration. PLANTER / STRUCTURAL RELATIONSHIP CTBUH research documents purpose-designed balcony planters and structural/wind studies. Typical tree containers are approximately 1.10 m high and 1.10 m deep; smaller shrub/herbaceous containers are shallower. Wind assessment included scale tests and full-scale tree testing, and tree restraining systems were designed for height-specific wind conditions. MAINTENANCE / OPERATING DEPENDENCY The facade is biologically maintenance-dependent. Vegetation maintenance is centrally managed rather than left entirely to residents. The project is known for specialist 'Flying Gardeners' who work from the exterior, while irrigation is centrally controlled and remotely monitored. This is a key distinction from static green-looking cladding: the facade is a managed living system whose performance and appearance depend on long-term horticultural care, irrigation and replacement. FACADE READING Bosco Verticale makes balcony depth, planting volume and mature canopy growth primary compositional variables. Its most important facade material is living biomass, so time, season, maintenance and plant mortality are integral architectural parameters.