Urban greenery

As there is less and less space for trees and other plants in urban environments, roofs and façades are often the best way to bring back a natural balance. Firstly, roof gardens create space for greenery in urban areas. Roof gardens and green façades also make a significant contribution to capturing particulates, ecology and reducing the Urban Heat Island effect. Of course it's important to make a carefully considered choice for species that lend themselves to use on roofs when making a selection. Matters such as watering systems and substrates also need to be taken directly into account in the planting plan. Even an edible garden, or tiny food forest, can be created on roofs.  Caption   Caption More

Multi-stem trees create a natural effect, and through their shape they bring atmosphere to a park, garden, square or street. They are primarily used for their unique character.   The depth created and the open structure of the multiple stems, often three to five, give your project a playful character. The impact of a multi-stem tree is greatest at eye level. Not only the bark but also the branches and foliage make the biggest impression at this height. Singly or in a small group, multi-stem trees create a unique experience. The planting of large sizes gives a mature appearance immediately. Caption At Ebben we select multi-stem trees at the nursery specifically for certain properties, including good autumn colour, striking sprin... More

Estudio Guto Requena has completed the Terrace Apartment, a biophilic and hyperconnected home in São Paulo, Brazil. The apartment is part of the Albina apartment building, an icon of Brazilian modernism designed in 1962 by Botti Rubin Arquitetos. In a conversation with Guto Requena, the architect describes the Terrace Apartment’s design and development. Requena’s own home, he sets out how the apartment is something of an experiment for his approach to architecture: a combination of biophilia, hybrid design, and parametric design. The result is, in many ways, a study in Guto Requena’s vision of the future. Maíra Acayaba   The Terrace Apartment “I’ve been dating this building since... More

Recently completed in Mumbai, the One Green Mile project by MVRD and StudioPOD transforms a series of neglected spaces below the city’s Senapati Bapat Marg flyover into public space for the entire local community. In addition to adding much-needed greenspace and amenities, the project improves mobility and brings a strong visual identity to the area. On a broader scale, One Green Mile presents a sustainable urban development model and illustrates how underused urban space can be reimagined. Suleiman Merchant The Senapati Bapat Marg flyover is part of a series of major roads that extend for over eleven kilometers. The infrastructure generates significant noise pollution, creates a barrier between neighboring areas, and limits m... More