Aesthetica selects five green buildings around the world. These structures transform the urban landscape, looking towards a more sustainable and eco-conscious future.
This net-zero energy and water structure redefines the relationship between building and the landscape. Photovoltaic panels, wind turbines and a water collection and filtration system work together, making the treehouse entirely self-sufficient. Offering panoramic views, it houses an environmental educational facility which teaches about ecology and conservation.
Cities account for more than 70% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Milan鈥檚 two residential towers host 800 trees, 4,500 shrubs and 15,000 plants, absorbing greenhouse gases and filtering dust particles. Boeri鈥檚 project produces oxygen with an aim to reduce pollution and increase biodiversity in the city. Vertical Forest sets up an urban ecosystem, increasing vegetation and animal life.
Gardens by the Bay is home to over 1,500,000 plants from around the world, highlighting how the climate crisis is threatening the Earth鈥檚 biodiversity. Carbon neutral conservatories create microclimates for exotic species, using sophisticated energy-efficient systems. The iconic Supertrees feature photovoltaic cells to harvest solar energy, rainwater collection tanks 鈥 fusing nature and technology.
A powerful green icon on the Sydney skyline, 50% of One Central Park鈥檚 fa莽ade is covered in a variety of climbing and spreading vegetation. The vertical garden, designed by Patrick Blanc, spans over 1,000 square meters, using hydroponics to create spaces that trap carbon dioxide. A cantilever reflects sunlight into the lower levels via a heliostat system 鈥 a panel of mirrors directing light downwards.
鈥淧arkroyal Pickering is a study of how we can not only conserve our greenery in a built-up high-rise city centre, but multiply it in a manner that is architecturally striking, integrated and sustainable.鈥 Lush planted areas, crevasses and waterfalls bring to life WOHA鈥檚 visions of the ultimate 鈥済reen city.鈥 The structure rich in tropical life and sky-gardens, redefining the limits of what a hotel can be.
Lead image: Sustainability Treehouse, Mount Hope, West Virginia, Mithun.
Vertical Forest, Milan, Stefano Boeri Architetti.
