HomeArchitectureIn Eindhoven, the Vertical Forest promotes social housing

In Eindhoven, the Vertical Forest promotes social housing

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The Vertical Forest is probably the most successful global architectural idea of the last decades, and this happens mainly for one reason: it is not a simple building but an authentic vision of the future, which, basing itself on cornerstones such as technology, design, and sustainability, tells us something of the world to come. It is a promise, a hope, and a wish. 

Therefore, it is not surprising that the family of “vertical forests” crosses national and natural borders. After the projects implemented in Milan, Nanjing, Utrecht, Tirana, Lausanne and Paris (and after the global spread of the video/appeal for Urban Forestation) the Stefano Boeri Architetti firm announces the creation of a new Vertical Forest in the Netherlands, in Eindhoven

The Trudo Vertical Forest in Eindhoven proposes a novelty compared to its predecessors. In fact, it is not only an Urban Forestry initiative, but also and above all a sustainable social housing project, or rather the first Vertical Forest used for social housing and therefore addressed to a popular user and in particular to young couples. 

The 75-meter high tower can house 125 trees and 5200 bushes and plants on its facade, and its 19 floors will hold apartments with affordable rent, that will enjoy the presence on the balconies of hundreds of trees and plants of the most varied species. 

Stefano Boeri says: 

“The skyscraper in Eindhoven confirms the possibility of uniting great challenges of climate change with those of housing problems. Urban forestation is not just a necessity to improve the environment of cities in the world, but an opportunity to improve the living conditions of poorer citizens.” 

The building was strongly desired by the client Sint-Trudo and will give space to 125 housing units that will be used, as mentioned, as social housing. Francesca Cesa Bianchi, Project Director at Stefano Boeri Architetti, adds: 

“The Trudo Vertical Forest defines new living standards. Each apartment will have a floor area of less than 50 square meters and will have 1 tree, 20 bushes and more than 4 square meters of terrace. Through the use of prefabrication, the rationalization of some façade technical solutions, and therefore the optimization of resources, this will be the first Vertical Forest prototype destined to social housing.” 

Within the metropolitan area, the skyscraper will create a green habitat for the development of biodiversity, a real ecosystem with over 70 different plant species able to combat atmospheric pollution, thanks to the capacity of the trees to absorb over 50 tons of carbon dioxide every year. 

In this way, it will respect the fundamental characteristic of the Vertical Forest family buildings or rather that of conceiving vegetation and living nature as constitutive elements, and not just ornamental ones. 

In particular, for the design of the plant component of the Trudo Vertical Forest, Studio Laura Gatti, managed by the agronomist Laura Gatti (who collaborated with Stefano Boeri Architetti in creating the Vertical Forest of Milan and other urban forestation projects) will work closely with DuPré Groenprojecten in Helmond and the Van den Berk plant nursery in Sint-Oedenrode, while Sint Trudo will be responsible for maintenance. 

Eindhoven thus becomes the new piece of the great urban forest design by Stefano Boeri Architetti.

URBAN FORESTRY. A call for action from Stefano Boeri Architetti on Vimeo.