Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Vertical
Greenery
Evaluating the High-Rise Vegetation
of the Bosco Verticale, Milan
Elena Giacomello & Massimo Valagussa
Bibliographic Reference:
Giacomello, E. and Valagussa, M. (2015) Vertical Greenery: Evaluating the High-Rise Vegetation of the Bosco
Verticale, Milan. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat: Chicago.
Published in conjunction with the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), Arup, and Università
Iuav di Venezia.
The right of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat to be identified as author of this work has been
asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review as
permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system
or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without
the written permission of the publisher.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only
for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
ISBN: 978-0-939493-42-5
Front Cover: Multiple vantage points of the Bosco Verticale, Milan, Italy
Acknowledgments
Elena Giacomello and Massimo Valagussa would like to extend their heartfelt
gratitude to Hines Italia SGR and Stefano Boeri for their support and to Daniel
Safarik and Antony Wood of CTBUH for their editorial assistance. They would also
like to thank Luca Buzzoni, Giorgio Ceruti, Paolo Pessina, and Cesare Peverelli for
providing important technical information.
Chapter 4 of this report was written by Elena Giacomello and expert advisor
Massimiliano Scarpa, with support from expert advisor Francesco Chianucci, who
authored the final section of the chapter, entitled: “Use of Digital Photography in
Determining Vegetal Cover in Urban Settings.”
Contents
5
About CTBUH
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat is the world’s leading resource
for professionals focused on the inception, design, construction, and operation
of tall buildings and future cities. A not-for-profit organization, founded in 1969
and based at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, CTBUH has an Asia
office at Tongji University, Shanghai, and a research office at Iuav University,
Venice, Italy. CTBUH facilitates the exchange of the latest knowledge available
on tall buildings around the world through publications, research, events,
working groups, web resources, and its extensive network of international
representatives. The Council’s research department is spearheading the
investigation of the next generation of tall buildings by aiding original research
on sustainability and key development issues. The free database on tall
buildings, The Skyscraper Center, is updated daily with detailed information,
images, data, and news. The CTBUH also developed the international standards
for measuring tall building height and is recognized as the arbiter for bestowing
such designations as “The World’s Tallest Building.”
The 2013 CTBUH International Research Seed Funding Program was sponsored
by Arup and awarded to Elena Giacomello of Iuav University, Venice, Italy for this
study on the Bosco Verticale. The study was conducted from June 2013 to June
2014, followed by summation, analysis, and editing of this report. Award recipient Elena Giacomello, accepts the
funding check from CTBUH Chairman Timothy
Johnson in June 2013.
6
About the Authors
Elena Giacomello
Adjunct Professor of Building Technology
Università Iuav di Venezia
Venice, Italy
Massimo Valagussa
Director of Laboratory MAC Analysis
Minoprio Foundation
Milan, Italy
7
Preface
When I saw the lifting of a single big tree onto the Bosco Verticale building in
Milan, the words of Gilles Clément, which I’d read numerous times before, came
into my mind. I thought: “How do they lift up a tree, one hundred meters from the
ground, without affecting that “living part”, the cambium, under the bark…?”
I was very much impressed by that “transport operation”: the tree was ascending
upright, somewhat rapidly, and was then brought close to the tower with a rope, to
be gently set down inside the container on the terrace. It was emotionally stirring to
see a tree, a vulnerable creature, out of the ground, out of context, flying to a new
“home”… and what a home: a skyscraper! I was incredulous to imagine that many
trees, hundreds of trees, would be placed on the two towers, and I realized that the
Bosco Verticale was not only an outstanding feat, and important project for Milan
and for Italy, but for the world. An extremely important experiment in the history of
tall building design was actually being realized.
Many questions came to my mind. How could trees adapt there; how much
would they grow? What is the supporting layer inside the container? How is wind
resisted? How will they be cared for? What are the selection criteria of the species
and specimens, and the exclusion criteria? What impact would they have on the
energy performance of the envelope and the internal spaces?
From that moment, the desire to study Bosco Verticale became an idea, and
later a possibility, thanks to the 2013 CTBUH International Research Seed
Funding program, sponsored by Arup, which awarded my proposal with
Massimo Valagussa to monitor the visionary project.
The research, presented in this report, does not answer all those initial
questions, but several important aspects of the Bosco Verticale’s living green
technologies have been observed and analyzed during the earliest stage of the
towers’ life, i.e. in the intervals of June-October 2013 and April-June 2014, when
the Bosco Verticale was completing construction. In this given time window, we
did our best to understand this extraordinary project.
The main question, posed in our research proposal, was: “How does a vertical
forest work?” To answer it, we first planned a monitoring program of the taller
trees installed on Tower E (the higher of the two) up to the 18th floor. The
monitoring was intended to check, through instrumental tests and laboratory
analyses (commonly applied in agronomics) the overall health conditions of the
selected trees. We wanted to verify if the position in height or the orientation to
the sun somehow affected the growth and health of the 27 chosen specimens
(Chapter 3 and Appendix).
8
Next we explored the maintenance issues more deeply, since the maintenance
regime is crucial for living green technologies in general, and in particular for
the Bosco Verticale. With the acquired information regarding the project, the
climatic data of the site and the evapotranspiration data from scientific literature,
we applied two different methods for calculating the irrigation needs of the
trees. Since the trees were in their earliest stage of implementation, the effects of
pruning activities and fertilization were hypothesized (Chapter 5).
In addition, we addressed the expected energy needs of the living green envelope
by modeling the sixth floor of the building with energy simulation software. Different
façade configurations were modeled, each highlighting the specific contribution to
shading supplied by the vegetation. Moreover, a calculation method for assessing the
shadows cast by vegetation was applied, with the Leaf Area Indexes of standard trees
and plants introduced into the assessment (Chapter 4).
This book collects all the results achieved from working on the Bosco Verticale
site, in the laboratory and at the desktop during the 12-month project. The results
reflect a wide range of methods, but, as much as possible, are consistent with
scientific methods. We believe that the limitations of our research project (namely,
the assessment occurring before the building’s occupation) were much less
significant than the value of the opportunities. It is hoped that, as a result of this
initial study, we can continue to conduct a more significant post-occupancy
study of the Bosco Verticale, and other relevant projects, in the near future.
It is important to underline that the results of the research provide data and
information regarding not only Bosco Verticale, but also methods and approaches
for evaluating other types of living green façade technologies, whether applied to
tall or smaller buildings. As a final note, the chapters of this book do not need to be
read in sequence; each introduces and concludes one specific topic.
Elena Giacomello
Venice, Italy, December 2014
9
1.0 An Overview of the Bosco Verticale
Owner: Fondo Porta Nuova Isola Year of Completion: 2014 • A project for metropolitan reforestation
Developer: Hines Italia Height: Tower D: 85 meters; Tower E: 117 meters and a model of the vertical densification of
Architect: Boeri Studio Stories: Tower D: 18; Tower E: 27 nature. The objective was to reproduce the
Structural Engineer: Arup Italia Building Gross Floor Area: 18,717 square meters equivalent of 1 hectare of forest vertically,
MEP Engineer: Deerns Building Function: Residential with the attendant benefits of noise and
Main Contractor: ZH Construction Company Structural Material: Concrete pollution reduction, shading for cooling, and
S.p.A. Green Wall Type: Tree planters on cantilevering aesthetic enhancement
Other Consultants: Emanuela Borio and Laura balconies
Gatti (landscape design) Location on Building: All orientations of façade, • Projecting balconies on each floor and
at all levels on each face are enhanced by trees and
Surface Area of Green Coverage: 10,142 square bushes placed in concrete planters, which
meters (approx.) act as parapets
10
each residential apartment. Acting as Local Climate Benefits of Green Walls
an extension of the exterior envelope
of the towers, the plants represent Milan has a humid, subtropical climate Designing with green walls, or façade-
a filter between the interiors of the that is characterized by hot and integrated vegetation, offers multiple
towers and the urban environment. humid summers with cold and damp benefits. The benefits of green walls
From inside, the plantings offer winters. It experiences four seasons vary depending on many factors, such
inhabitants a special experience of and a wide range of temperatures, as geographic location and climate,
their terraces, which are pleasantly typically varying from -1 oC to 31 oC. building geometry, orientation, plant
shaded by luxuriant tree crowns, and There is often measurable snowfall species, and green wall components
a “green-filtered view” to the city, in from December through February and systems. According to the 2014
addition to an enhanced feeling of (an average 300 to 400 millimeters). CTBUH Technical Guide, Green Walls
privacy. The envelope of the project is The remainder of the year consists of in High-Rise Buildings (Wood, Bahrami,
an active interface to the environment, rain in springtime and temperatures Safarik, 2014), these benefits can
with a special architectural quality. The ranging from 20 oC to 30 oC during the be categorized as being on the
dynamism of plant life is also expressed summer and -1 oC to 10 oC during the “urban scale” (benefits for the urban
in the combination of forms and colors winter. The most common forms of community beyond the building
that derives from the carefully selected precipitation are light and moderate itself ) and “building scale” (addressing
distribution of different species and rain, occasionally augmented by green wall benefits for a building’s
specimens, which changes over the thunderstorms. In recent years, Milan users and owners).
seasons and the years. The greenery has seen a reduction in the industrial
of the plantings is emphasized and sector within the city, which has Benefits: Urban Scale
underscored by the gray color of the reduced the heat island effect as • Reduction of the Urban Heat
exterior walls, making the plants the well as the haze that had become Island Effect / Air Temperature
protagonists of an architectural story synonymous with Milan’s skyline. Mitigation
of great visual, environmental, and • Improvement of Air Quality /
ultimately societal, impact. Dust
• Absorption
• Sequestering of Carbon
• Aesthetic Appeal
• Providing Biodiversity and
Climatic Data1
Creating
Location: Milan, Italy • Natural Animal Habitats
Geographic Position: Latitude 45° 37' N; Longitude 8° 143' E
Elevation: 211 meters above sea level
Climate Classification: Warm Temperate with fully humid, hot summer Benefits: Building Scale
Mean Annual Temperature: 11.8 °C • Health Benefits
Average Daytime Temperature during the Hottest Months (June, July, August): 21.7 °C
• Improvement of Building Energy
Average Daytime Temperature during the Coldest Months (December, January, February): 1.6 °C
Annual Average Relative Humidity: 71% (hottest months); 76% (coldest months) • Efficiency
Average Monthly Precipitation: 85 millimeters
Prevailing Wind Direction: North
• Internal Air Quality, Air Filtration
Average Wind Speed: 0.9 meters per second and Oxygenation
Solar Radiation: Maximum: 784 Wh/m2 (July 21); Minimum: 660 Wh/m2 (October 21) • Envelope Protection
Annual Average Daily Sunshine: 5.1 hours
• Noise Reduction
1
The climatic data listed was derived from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). • Agricultural Benefits
11
adding to energy consumption,
air pollution and greenhouse gas
emissions to the atmosphere.
12
a greenhouse gas that contributes
to climate change. Many cities have
embarked upon tree-planting programs
to support carbon-sequestration
initiatives. However, in many urban areas
there is a limited supply of land that can
support trees and their root systems.
Here, vine-based green walls provide
an excellent, space- and water-saving
alternative. Not only can vines grow
on the walls of existing buildings and
require less planting media – they are
also more efficient engines for carbon
sequestration. Most of the energy
of a tree goes toward growing its
trunk, which provides nutrients and
altitude to the leaves, but does not
itself process CO2 or create oxygen.
Vines are nearly entirely composed
of leaves, and thus can sequester
60 to 100 times more than a tree of
Figure 1.3
equivalent mass (Vaingsbo, 2014). The green walls in a metro station create an enhanced aesthetic appeal (Source: Shou-Hui Wang (cc-by-sa))
4. Aesthetic Appeal
The most visible benefit of green-wall
systems is their aesthetic appeal (Figure
1.3). Building designers often use green
walls as traditional two-dimensional
art objects to embellish structures.
Various plants, with their unique colors
and textures, can be skillfully used as a
“It has been reported that the
live art medium that changes its shade
according to the season. Green walls yearly oxygen requirement for
can decorate a building façade by
hiding unsightly surfaces (such as car one person can be produced by
parks) or by complementing existing
building features. Such green walls can
be purely ornamental, or can provide
a tree with a 5-meter diameter
other benefits. For instance, when
placed near the ground, green walls canopy or by 40 square meters
can create mini-parks or streetscapes
for recreational use. Generally, the visual
effect of green walls is more noticeable
of a vegetated wall covered with
than that of green roofs, as they are
easily seen from the street level. dense planting.”
13
5. Psychological Impact on Urban 7. Sound Deadening 9. Air Filtration and Oxygenation
Dwellers In many urban centers, street noise Many modern cities suffer from air
Green walls improve the quality of approaches levels that can impede pollution that can lead to numerous
human life in the built environment concentration and peace of mind. Hard human diseases and have the potential
by providing relief from what can be surfaces cause sounds to be bounced, to accelerate the deterioration of
a relentless and visually impoverished amplified and redirected. The noise of building materials. It has been proven
urban landscape. In many parts of traffic, sirens, horns, and construction is that atmospheric air quality can be
the world, urban areas are particularly synonymous with urban life, but it is not improved through the introduction of
unpleasant for pedestrians, with hard beyond attenuation. Thickly vegetated vegetation. Plants are known to trap
surfaces and auto-centric engineering green walls can have a deadening airborne particles in their foliage and
predominating. Green walls provide effect on urban noises, while providing absorb gaseous pollutants from the
not only aesthetic relief from the both a visual and auditory reminder of atmosphere. Plant leaves also have
monotony of concrete and steel; they nature in otherwise intense and frantic the ability to absorb particles of heavy
also provide tangible relief from the environments. metals from the atmosphere, including
heat that radiates from the surfaces cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc. A
of buildings and streets and have a Green Wall Building-Scale Benefits German study demonstrated that the
calming effect on harried urbanites. air pollution count in a street without
8. Improvement of Building Energy trees was 10,000-20,000 dirt particles
6. Providing Biodiversity and Creating Efficiency per liter, as opposed to 3,000 dirt
Natural Animal Habitats Façade plants have multiple particles per liter in a tree-lined street
A British study that analyzed the positive effects on building thermal (Minke & Witter, 1985).
biodiversity of vertical urban surfaces performance, which include increased
found that building walls and façades wall insulation (especially in the case of Air pollutants are present not only
provide favorable conditions for living walls in colder climates), façade in the atmosphere, but also inside
certain species of plants and animals shading (especially in hotter climates), buildings where various building
(Darlington, 1981). According to this air cooling through evapotranspiration, materials (adhesives, carpets, electronic
study, the most common organisms and reduction of wind near the equipment, and cleaning fluids)
found on exterior vertical walls are façade. Shading with plants leads to a emit volatile organic compounds
algae and lichens, which can grow in reduction in the temperature gradient (VOCs), chemical compounds that
miniscule crevices and holes. Other of a building’s exterior walls and in can negatively affect human health.
characteristic façade dwellers are heat conduction through the opaque Recently, some building designers
mosses, ferns, liverworts, sedums, building envelope. Evapotranspiration have started using the air filtering
herbaceous plants, vines, grasses, and cools and humidifies the air around the ability of plants in green walls for
even some coniferous plants. These plant layer while the porous structure better interior air quality. Green walls
plant types adapt well to vertical of the plant layer, formed by foliage are a natural alternative to energy-
life because of their ability to dwell and branches, lowers air movement consuming artificial filtration, since
in crevices and cracks, use building near the façade. Reduced façade they can serve as interior biofilters to
surfaces for support, and sustain surface temperatures and micro- remove pollutants from the air. One
themselves on small amounts of climate outdoor air temperatures such biofilter is the NEDLAW Living
nutrients and water. A thick layer of near the façade allow for lower Wall, a proprietary biofilter living wall
vegetation on building façades also heat conduction through opaque consisting of pollutant-degrading
creates an attractive habitat for insects, envelopes and for lower air infiltration plants (NEDLAW Living Walls, 2008).
birds, and small animals. into buildings, which implies better A single pass of the air through the
building energy performance and 5-cm-thick living wall can remove
reduced energy use. up to 80% of the formaldehyde,
14
to material cracking and premature
aging. On extreme days, the exposed
façade temperature can vary between
-10°C and 60°C while the temperature
of a plant-covered façade fluctuates
only between 5°C and 30°C (Minke &
Witter, 1985) (Osler, Wood, Bahrami, &
Stephens, B, 2011).
15
Figure 1.5
O’Hare International Airport in Chicago implemented an urban micro-farm on a portion of their vertical surfaces in their facility that produces fresh, locally grown
vegetables (Source: chipmunk_1 (cc-by-sa))
of local community life. Currently, green buildings in Canada, the United Green Building Council (LEED v4
some manufacturers are developing States, and the United Kingdom. Reference Guide for Building Design
commercial living wall products which According to the research, which was and Construction, 2013). Green walls
can be used for growing food vertically, based on the combination of different can contribute directly or with other
for example, the Green Living wall case studies, it was concluded that sustainability building elements to
system by Green Living Technologies “the sustainable features of green a building’s LEED certification in all
LLC (Green Living Technologies) and the buildings can add value to real estate”. categories including Sustainable
Reviwall system by Reviplant (Reviplant, The author concluded that buildings Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and
2008). A prototype of such an edible with substantial green elements not Atmosphere, Materials and Resources,
wall was installed in Gladys Park, a poor only have a positive impact on the Indoor Environmental Quality, and
neighborhood in Los Angeles, by Green environment and health, but also Innovation in Operation as outlined
Living Technologies LLC (Irwin, 2008). provide productive places to live and below:
work, secure higher rents and prices,
14. Increasing Property Value attract tenants more quickly, reduce 1) Sustainable Sites Development
Several studies have demonstrated tenant turnover, and cost less to Green walls can achieve credits in
that vegetated features in buildings, operate and maintain (Corp, 2005). Storm Water Design and Heat Island
such as green roofs or green walls, Effect categories by preventing
can increase the property value by 15. Sustainability Rating System Credits excessive storm water discharge and
up to 20% (Pitts & Jackson, 2008), Buildings utilizing vertical greenery can by removing suspended particles
(Fuerst & McAllister, 2009), (Miller, often receive credits in Sustainability and other pollutants from the storm
2008), (Eichholtz, Kok, & Quiqley, 2010). Programs such as the Leadership in water. The dark foliage of green walls
Independent research conducted Energy and Environmental Design helps reduce solar reflectance from
by the UK-based Royal Institute of (LEED) program, the voluntary green buildings, thus reducing the urban
Chartered Surveyors (RICS) investigated building rating system by the US heat island effect.
16
2) Water Efficiency
Buildings can use a stormwater
collection system, including
harvested rainwater, air-
conditioning condensate, and
foundation drain water for irrigation
of green walls and other landscape
features and reduce waste water
generation. The potential credits
include the Water-Efficient
Landscaping and Innovative
Wastewater Technologies.
Figure 1.7
Building section of Tower E (Source: Stefano Boeri
Architetti)
In addition to LEED, other building Project Site: Porta Nuova District,
energy efficiency and sustainability Milan
rating systems in the world have
considered credits for building greenery The Porta Nuova area, comprising 34
strategies. In Australia and New Zealand, hectares, was one of the last unbuilt radical transformation through an
buildings with green walls can receive sites in Milan. The area was meant investment of more than 2 billion euro.
Green Star Credits, which is the first to be turned into an office district,
comprehensive rating system for according to the city plan of 1953, The new Porta Nuova is divided into
the evaluation of the environmental with the objective of decongesting three neighborhoods: Porta Garibaldi,
design and performance of Australian the city center by relieving growing Varesine, and Isola (where the Bosco
buildings. This is similar in other car traffic. Instead, the area played host Verticale is located). It takes advantage
countries, such as: the United Kingdom’s to an increasing number of tertiary of the proximity to the city center and
BRE Environmental Assessment activities: part of it was occupied by of transportation accessibility. The
Method (BREEAM) building rating an amusement park; the rest was project is near two railway stations,
system; Germany, the Green Building uncultivated land. Years of economic two underground metro lines and a
Certification for Sustainability (DGNB); difficulty prevented the public third under construction, a new road
Italy, Green Building Council Italia (GBC administration from realizing the entire tunnel under the Unicredit Tower,
Italia); Singapore, BCA Green Mark office district and its associated planned and several tram and bus lines. It
Scheme and Japan, Comprehensive infrastructure. Finally, in 2004, a large introduces a diversity of uses to the
Assessment System for Built urban project was approved and the area, including offices, retail and
Environment Efficiency (CASBEE) (Reed, land was acquired by a single developer, residential buildings, interconnected
Bilos, Wilkinson, & Schulte, 2009). Hines Italia SGR, which arranged a by a large park with pedestrian paths.
18
Tower D
Tower E
Figure 1.8
Typical floor plan of both towers (Source: Stefano Boeri Architetti)
Among the projects completed and presence of vegetation distributed The architect Stefano Boeri’s concept of
under construction, there are more throughout deep cantilevered the project was intended to introduce
than 20 new buildings, including terraces, on all orientations and along “a different typology of tall building, and
several towers. In May 2013, a Qatari all façades of both towers. Tower D also a different idea of sustainability.
investment fund bought a 40% stake is 85 meters high and consists of 18 More than 94% of tall buildings are clad
in the development. floors, while Tower E is 117 meters with glass, so we started thinking about
high and consists of 27 floors. The these skins, metal, ceramics, and other
Design Intent façades are oriented precisely in the materials that ‘mineralize‘ the urban
four cardinal directions. The floor surfaces.” While these buildings can be
The Bosco Verticale project consists of plans of the two towers are different: designed to collect renewable energy
two residential towers located in Porta the floor plates of Tower D have a (solar, wind, geothermal), these designs
Nuova district in Milan, northeast of the surface area of approximately 500 exclude one of the major challenges to
historic city center (Figures 1.7 & 1.8). square meters, while the floor plates sustainability: biodiversity.”
The site of the project is along the north of Tower E have a larger surface area
side of the Unicredit Tower, bordering a of 660 square meters. The sizes of the “Sustainability without biodiversity
park called the “Library of Trees,” which apartments vary; in Tower D there are is a ‘mechanical sustainability,’” Boeri
comprises 9 hectares (Figure 1.9). two to three apartments per floor, said. “Here the idea of the project
while in Tower E, there are two to four comes. I started to think about
The two project towers are of different apartments per floor. this visionary project to see if a tall
heights, but are characterized by the building could become a ‘medium’ for
19
Figure 1.9
Porta Nuova development, Milan, showing the Bosco Verticale towers at the upper right (Source: Residenze Porta Nuova S.r.l.)
20
The plants comprise the main element envelope is alive, and moves and floor of the 27-floor Tower E and up
of the façade’s character, since they changes with the seasons. to the 14th floor of the 18-floor Tower
are densely distributed on the two D. These trees were planted between
towers, both on the lower floors and Construction Site During late 2012 and spring 2013 (Figures 1.11
the upper floors, on all orientations. Monitoring: July 2013 – June 2014 & 1.12), and had thus been “bedded
The variety of green foliage and the in” for periods between one and
vibrant colors of flowers and fruits For a better understanding of the eight months. Part of the planting
coexist and stand out from the gray setting of the research activities restraint safety system of the trees was
background of the external walls and presented in this report, it is useful erected, but not operating. The water
the white of the terraces’ undersides. to describe the state of construction distribution network in the terraces was
work at Bosco Verticale at the time of widely installed, but not working. At the
Working in concert with the terraces, the study. This sets the limits of the time of observation, the plants were
defined by “sliding profiles” from investigation and, as consequence, irrigated manually by maintenance staff.
floor to floor, the plants confer a governed its results, during the two
three-dimensional appearance to research intervals; June–October 2013 The external walls of Tower E were
the envelope, emphasized by the and April–June 2014. largely completed, though some
light reflection of rich foliage, and by higher floors lacked windows and the
the projected shadows of trees and During the first monitoring period, interior finishes. Interior partitions had
terraces on the exterior wall. The entire trees had been installed up to the 18th been built only in the lower floors.
21
Figure 1.13 Figure 1.14
View of the two towers from the southwest during the second monitoring period, May 2014 (Tower E, left; Views of the east and south façades of Tower D, seen
Tower D, right) from Tower E, June 2014
The plant containers of the top eight is about 40%, based on a calculation been discounted by 50% to account
floors of Tower E had not been filled method derived in the Green Walls in for variations in shrub density and
with soil or substrate. High-Rise Buildings Technical Guide coverage, for a final area of 97 m2
(Wood, Bahrami, Safarik, 2014) and per façade. There are also 27 trees of
At the beginning of the second detailed below. approximately 24 m2 coverage area
monitoring period, the installation and 20 trees of approximately 12 m2
of the trees on the top floors was The project consists of two rectilinear coverage area on each façade. Thus the
complete (Figures 1.13 & 1.14). At the towers, named Tower D and Tower total of green coverage on Tower D’s
same time, the completion of works on E to indicate their position in the north and south walls is (97 + (27 x 24)
the façades and interiors proceeded overall Porta Nuova project. All + (20 x 12)) = 985 m2 each.
from the bottom to the top. vertical, elevation-based greenery area
assumptions for this project were based The east and west walls of Tower D
At the end of June 2014, some on the fully grown extent of foliage as each support 28 bush/shrub areas
apartments of the lower and central designed, as opposed to the canopy of approximately 1 meters’ height
floors of Tower E were completed and sizes at installation or as measured along varying widths, for a total
reserved for showing to prospective directly elsewhere in this report. area of 232 m2. That area has then
tenants. been discounted 50% to account
Tower D is 85 m high, 32 m long, and for variations in shrub density and
Overall Green Coverage Calculations 26 m wide, including the vertical zone coverage, for a final area of 116 m2
contained by the 3 meter projection of per façade. There are also 33 trees of
In the case of Bosco Verticale, the living balconies beyond the façade proper. approximately 24 m2 coverage area
green envelope is uniquely dense and The total vertical surface area of Tower and 19 trees of 12 m2 coverage area
highly vegetated (including trees up D is thus: (2 x (85 x 26) + (2 x (85 x 32)) on each façade. Thus, the east and
to 6 meters high); it is installed within = 9,860 m2 (Table 1.1). west walls cover (116 + (33 x 24) + (19
plant containers located on the outer x 12)) = 1,136 m2 each.
side of cantilevered terraces. Thus, in Tower D’s north and south balconies
plan, the vegetation is about 2.3 to each support 20 bush/shrub areas Thus, overall green coverage of Tower
3.1 meters from the external wall and of approximately 1 meters’ height D is (2 x 985) + (2 x 1,136) = 4,242 m2
covers more than 50% of the floor and of varying widths, for a total or about 43% of the vertical surface
perimeter. In elevation, the coverage area of 194 m2. That area has then area of the tower.
22
Tower E is similarly configured, but
Total Wall Area Green Wall Percentage of Green
taller. It is 117 m high, 41 m long and Elevation
(m2) Coverage (m2) Coverage
26 m wide, including the 3-meter
zone created by the projection of the Bosco
balconies. The total vertical surface Verticale
area of Tower E overall is (2 x (117 x 41) Tower D North 2,210 985 45%
+ (2 x (117 x 26)) = 15,678 m2.
Tower D East 2,720 1,136 42%
Tower E’s north and south balconies Tower D South 2,210 985 45%
each support 52 bush/shrub areas of Tower D West 2,720 1,136 42%
approximately 1 meters’ height and of
varying widths, for a total area of 470 Tower D Total 9,860 4,242 43%
m2. That area was then discounted Tower E North 4,797 1,735 36%
50% to account for variations in shrub
Tower E East 3,042 1,215 40%
density and coverage, for a final area
of 235 m2. There are also 34 trees of Tower E South 4,797 1,735 36%
approximately 24 m2 coverage area Tower E West 3,042 1,215 40%
and 57 trees of approximately 12 m2
coverage area on each façade. Thus Tower E Total 15,678 5,900 38%
the total of green coverage on Tower Combined Total 25,538 10,142 40%
D’s north and south walls is (235 + (34
Table 1.1
x 24) + (57 x 12)) = 1,735 m2 each. Calculations of green coverage
23
2.0 Technology Overview
In this chapter, some of the elements staircases, three elevators and five on the outside edge of the balconies
and technologies of the Bosco ducts for mechanical, electrical and opposite the exterior wall (Figure 2.2).
Verticale that are directly influenced plumbing systems (Figure 2.1). The
by the presence of trees are pillars are rectangular and measure The profiles of the terraces repeat
summarized. The sections, as well as approximately 80 x 120 centimeters. every six floors, while the containers
the descriptions, are not meant to be have variable layouts.
comprehensive; rather, they provide The service core is centered on the
technical information regarding north façade of Tower E and has a The required load support calculated
several topical aspects of the design floor area of about 160 square meters, for the terraces was determined by the
and intend to display the unity of comprising about 24% of each floor weight of the deepest container, with
the architectural project with the plate, excluding the terraces. The large trees installed every 3 meters, and
vegetation and structural schemes. load-bearing structure of the floors medium trees installed in the remaining
and the cantilevered terraces is made space between the large trees.
Building Structural Systems of 28-centimeter-thick post-tensioned
reinforced concrete. The trees generate the significant
The structure of the project’s towers portion of the loads, not so much in
consists entirely of reinforced concrete. The depth of the cantilevered terraces terms of weight, but in terms of wind
The vertical load-bearing structure of is about 3.3 meters in plan, and in force that they transfer to the structure.
tower E is formed by 13 pillars, placed some cases, the width is up to 14 Defining the dynamic loads was a
on the perimeter of the floor plan – meters. The terraces are accessed fundamental part of the structural
with unsupported corners – and by directly from the apartments. The plant design process. It was assessed through
the service core, which contains two containers on the terraces are placed scale-model tests and full-scale tests on
real trees in the field.
Figure 2.1 1
The information regarding the structure and the binds has
Tower E: Vertical structure, in plan, 6th floor (Source: Elaboration from document provided by Stefano Boeri) been provided by Luca Buzzoni in 2014.
24
1.00
3.00
1.00
Prefabricated
Plant Container
3.00
Waterproof
Membrane Layer
Post-tensioned
Load Bearing Floor
1.00
3.30
Figure 2.2
Tower E: Horizontal structure, typical vertical section showing location of plant containers (Source: Stefano Boeri)
Temporary Bind
This system consists of textile belts
that anchor the root ball of the tree. In
the bottom of the plant container, a
steel welded net is positioned, through
which three textile belts pass to fix the
root ball (Figure 2.3).
25
Figure 2.4 Figure 2.5
Basic bind: elastic textile belts fastening the trunk Basic bind: the turnbuckle connected to a steel plate
bolted to the side of the container
building, when the roots of the trees is linked to the turnbuckle through a
are not sufficiently developed. redance, a looped and grooved device
for securing cables. The cable is then
Basic Bind secured to the structure of the upper
This is the fall-arrest system for terrace through a simple hook and
dislodged and broken branches. The another redance (Figures 2.5 & 2.6).
fall-arrest system consists of a steel cable The three elastic belts allow the tree to
anchored to the structure of the plant oscillate without becoming dislodged.
container (where the tree is placed)
and to the bottom of the terrace above. Redundant Bind
Three additional elastic belts wrap This system consists of a steel cage
the main trunk with the cable (Figure fixed to the structure of the plant
2.4), retain the damaged parts of the container. It encloses the root ball,
tree in case of breakage, and allow the preventing the overturning of the tree
recovery of the broken branches. (Figures 2.7-2.9).
The cable is secured to one side of the This device has been used for the trees
plant container through a turnbuckle on the highest floors, where affixing Figure 2.6
Basic bind: the steel cable connected to the upper
connected to a steel plate bolted to the a basic bind is not practical; and for terrace through a hook and a redance, a looped and
side of the container. The steel cable trees installed in the windiest positions grooved device for securing cables
26
Figure 2.7
Redundant bind: render of the steel cage that encloses the root ball (Source: Luca Buzzoni, Arup Italia)
27
Figure 2.10 Figure 2.11
Composition of the external wall Fastening elements of the cladding and frame to the
external wall
Studying the interaction of these floors below; the obtained effect is The sides of the plant containers are
three elements (the external walls, the particularly spectacular and unusual. concrete, 1.1 meters high from the floor
terraces and the vegetation) requires a of the terrace and 12 centimeters thick.
precise understanding of each of them. The Cantilevered Terraces and Planters The sides are fixed to each other by a
The next paragraphs describe each of All the cantilevered terraces are heavy steel tie-beam, secured by two
these elements. constructed of post-tensioned reinforced plates bolted to the sides.
concrete with differing widths. They are
Composition of the External Walls characterized by the presence of plant The internal volume of the containers
The composition of the external containers on the outer edge. vary depending on the provided
walls of the project is quite simple. plants’ dimensions. In the case of a
The infill wall is made of honeycomb The floors of the terraces are covered tree installation, the container is 1.1
bricks. Both these infill walls and the on the top by a thin layer of thermal meters high and 1.1 meters deep (1.47
structural reinforced concrete are insulation, a waterproofing membrane meters including the construction
coated with panels of mineral thermo- and a lightweight concrete layer with layers), while in the case of shrubs and
acoustic insulation. cladding in light gray stone. A thin layer herbs, the container is a minimum 0.50
of thermal insulation and a double meters high and 0.50 meters deep
The exterior finish consists of charcoal- layer of white plasterboard are applied (0.87 meters including the construction
gray stone cladding, ventilated and on the underside. layers) (Figure 2.12).
supported by a metal frame anchored
to the infill wall of honeycomb bricks
beyond (Figures 2.10 & 2.11). All the
external walls, regardless of orientation,
have the same composition.
28
Figure 2.13
Waterproofing membrane with protective sheeting against root penetration
Figure 2.14
The two synthetic non-woven filters with a three-dimensional filament core
The layer of separation and drainage and mixed with green compost and Furthermore, plants filter the view
also protects the permeability of topsoil (the organic materials) (Figure of the city from the inside of each
the filters, the drainage pipe, the 2.15). The growing-medium layer must apartment. Both the vegetation placed
waterproofing membrane, the sheeting ensure sufficient aeration in the lower on its terrace and the tree crown
against root penetration and, above all, volume of the containers, as well as placed on the lower floors represent
the air circulation along the sides of the optimal functions of water retention, the external element in the foreground,
containers. To accomplish this, the layer permeability, structural stability and framing the view.
turns up vertically along the edge of density.
the container. While providing the same The vegetation is also the primary
drainage capacity and compression Its implementation is governed by element defining the façade.
resistance, this geo-polymer is efficient, many parameters and requirements The strong effect of the project is
and is much thinner and lighter than identified in international standards for driven by many factors besides the
traditional granular drainage materials. green roofs.2 full vegetation, including a wide
chromatic combination (charcoal gray
Above this, another separation layer The Vegetation on the external walls, white cladding
lies below a welded-steel net, which The real revolutionary element of the panels, and many hues of green), the
forms the anchor for the tree root balls. project – its plants – has influenced harmonic rhythm of the terraces, and
every part of the design. The vegetation a balanced succession of transparent
Above the layer of separation and the is the outermost exterior element of and opaque surfaces.
welded-steel net lies the vegetation the envelope and represents a filter
support course, i.e. the substrate, between the interiors of the towers and The vegetation itself is part of the
which fills the container to a depth of the urban environment. tower’s architecture. The plants have
approximately 1 meter. This growing a variable geometry, they move with
medium layer is the key element of First of all, the plants offer protection the breeze, they reflect the light
every green living technology. It is against sun and wind to the terraces, and produce irregular shadows.
composed of soil with volcanic lapilli which are thus extended green, They gradually change color, shape
(an inorganic material) that has been private spaces at high altitude, with and appearance with the change of
selected for variance in grain sizes commanding views of the city of Milan. seasons.3
2
a) UNI 11235: Istruzioni per la progettazione, l’esecuzione, il controllo e la manutenzione di coperture a verde. [Guidelines for the design, execution, monitoring and maintenance
of green roofs]. Ente nazionale italiano di unificazione. Milano: UNI, 2007 (revised in 2008); b) Green roofing guidelines. Guidelines for the planning, construction and maintenace
of green roofing. Forschungsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau. Bonn: The German Landscape Research, Development and Construction Society (FLL), 2008.
3
In the field of neurosciences, the effects of vegetation on human health in urban settings have been investigated (Roger S.Ulrich’s studies). The topic of the sense-stimulation by
plants located in urban environments (which affects the green living technologies) is neither simple nor commonplace. There is a direct cause-effect relationship between the
visual perception of the plants and the psycho-physical well-being of the person. The well-being that comes from the view and the proximity of greenery is not a cultural issue.
It is not linked, for instance, to one’s level of education about environmental preservation, the desire to take on a “sustainable lifestyle”, the identification of the respect of nature
with one’s values … and so on – nor is it a question related to voluntary thought. When observing vegetation, the person undergoes an enhancement of several physiological
parameters of his/her own body (such as the conductance of the skin, heart period and heart rate, muscle tension, etc.). For this reason, the “visual attraction” of plants, even
when glimpsed distractedly, is unavoidable and unconscious, driven by an instinctive impulse. So, from a sensory point of view, the façades of the Bosco Verticale have a unique
attractive force, even if the vertical green living technologies are not recognizable as “common” by the average person.
30
Botanic Name Common Name Optimum Orientation
[Latin] [English] [N/E/S/W]
Big trees (Height: 5.5 - 6 meters)
Corylus colurna * Turkish hazel N, E, S
Fagus sylvatica * European beech N, E
Gleditsia triacanthos “Sunburst” Thorny locust N, S
Quercus ilex * Holly oak S, W
Medium trees (Height: 3 - 5 meters)
Acer campestre Maple N-E
Amelanchier Shadbush N, W
Cladrastis lutea Kentucky yellowwood S
Fraxinus ornus South European flowering ash W, S
Laburnum alpinum Laburnum N-W
Malus “Golden Hornet” Apple tree W, N-W
Malus “Red Jewel” Apple tree S
Olea europaea sylvestris Olive tree E, S, W
Parrotia persica * Persian ironwood E
Prunus subhirtella (*) Spring cherry N, E
From an ecological point of view, the Prunus subhirtella “Autumnalis” (*) Spring cherry E
exceptional variety of the selected Small trees and large shrubs (Height: 1.75 - 2 meters)
species is a dominant characteristic. Arbutus unedo Cane apple S, W
More than 90 different species and Cotinus coggygria Eurasian smoketree N, W
around 20,000 individual plants are Lagerstroemia indica Deciduous camellia N
installed in the following categories: Magnolia stellata Star magnolia N
• Trees and large shrubs Olea fragrans Sweet osmanthus S
• Shrubs and bushes Punica granatum Pomegranate S, W
• Ground-cover plants and Prunus progressiflora ≈ Cherry tree re-flourishing
herbaceous perennials Stewartia pseudocamellia Crape myrtle W
The plant biodiversity represents the * species analyzed in the research
natural support to both the plants (*) species partly analyzed in the research
31
It is important to underline that Bosco panel in high-density polyethylene, are two sectors, one of low and one
Verticale does not imitate a natural corrugated and perforated with small of high hydraulic pressure. In Tower E,
forest. The plant species that coexist holes. This technique enables an there are three sectors (low, medium
here would not spontaneously develop optimal distribution of the roots and and high hydraulic pressure). Every
near each other in a natural setting. prevents the formation of spiraling group has a maximum flow capacity
The project is a masterly designed roots, by pruning the external apical of 6 m3/hour.
combination of plants placed under roots in contact with the air. The
highly artificial conditions, selected response of the plant to the pruning is Between the water storage tank and
to resist unfavorable microclimates to send out more fibrous roots with a the groups of water-lifting pumps
around the tower, assisted by radial configuration.4 is the fertilizing/irrigation device
professional maintenance. Despite this, (fertigator). The circulating solution is
the floral diversity of the project is high Irrigation System drawn from the tanks and fed into the
and will likely have a positive effect network. Fertilization can be achieved
on animal biodiversity. Many plants, in This description is not a complete through a simple balance of nitrogen,
fact, produce small fruits, berries, and technical overview, but provides phosphorus and potassium, each in a
flowers; and the vegetated wall system sufficient information to understand 10% concentration. The remainder of
provides shelter and water. how the irrigation system functions. the solution (70%) is water.
Pre-Cultivation: Trees The Water Distribution Network for The main irrigation tubes are located
The trees were selected based on a Irrigation on the façades. Since these tubes are
consideration of the most advanced The water distribution network for not materially protected from frost,
principles of pre-cultivation in nurseries. irrigation is composed of three main an automatic operation empties
The trees, which are at least 15 years old, elements: the principal network, which the system when the temperature
have precisely calibrated sizes (obtained brings water from underground to reaches 0 °C, and recharges it when
thanks to a professional pruning) and the terraces; the control group in the the temperature returns to between 5
are free of any “defects of shape,” which plant containers, which regulates the and 6 °C.
means that they have a single trunk, the water supply; and the drip line, which
lateral branches do not compete with provides widespread distribution The Control Group in the Plant
each other and are radial, well-spaced, throughout the plant containers.5 Container
symmetrical and lightly webbed. Each plant container has one “control
The Principal Network group” of irrigation. The control
The preparation of the root ball is The building is irrigated by group receives water from the main
very important for the success of the groundwater. In the basement of distribution network and regulates
planting and the health of the trees. each tower there is a water storage the water flow inside the container.
The root balls were processed to yield tank, which is continuously fed by Each control group is comprised of
a size of 90 centimeters’ diameter for groundwater. If a problem occurs, it is three elements, enclosed inside a box,
big trees and 70-75 centimeters for possible to fill the water storage tank partially buried in the substrate of the
medium-sized trees. with water from the city water system. plant container:
1. one solenoid valve
After having obtained the root From the water storage tank to all 2. one filtration unit
balls, all the trees were grown with floors of each tower, the water is
3. one pressure regulator
a specific technique to avoid the distributed through different groups
development of spiraling roots. The of water-lifting pumps. Every group 4
The information regarding the pre-cultivation has been
provided by Cesare Peverelli in 2013.
root balls, placed above the ground, of water-lifting pumps supplies one 5
The information regarding the irrigation system has been
were wrapped with a cylindrical sector of the towers. In Tower D there provided by Paolo Pessina in 2014.
32
Figure 2.17 Figure 2.18
The irrigation “control group” in the plant container The dripline being installed under a layer of mulch
Each plant container, therefore, has substrate near the distribution point The flows of each valve and the
one solenoid valve that is independent (the valve); the other sensor checks activation times are set according
from all the others; separate commands the humidity of the substrate on the to the experience of the operators.
for each container will open and close other side of the distribution point. After a trial period, the schedules
this single valve (Figure 2.17). are analyzed alongside the recorded
The recorded data is used to control humidity data in order to calibrate the
The Widespread Distribution Element the efficiency of the irrigation irrigation flows, the humidity of the
in the Plant Container schedule and for verifying any failure substrate, and the general well-being
Downstream of the control group, of water supply in the plant containers of the plants. After the initial phase,
in each plant container the drip-line (such as obstructions or leaks). The the schedules are corrected so as to
distributes the water on the surface humidity sensors are connected to avoid excess or insufficient irrigation.
of the substrate (Figure 2.18). The the control room.
drip-line is shielded against root
penetrations and siphoning. The
emitters are located every 20 to 35
centimeters along the drip-line.
Monitoring Objectives • Assessing nutrition the species can reach in nature. “First
• Determining the effects of magnitude” species of trees naturally
The aim of the tree-monitoring possible environmental stressors grow higher than 25 meters; “second
program is “describing by measuring” magnitude” species range in height
• Data collection and results
the state of health of the trees installed from 15 to 25 meters). The decision to
discussion
on Bosco Verticale. analyze the taller species is based on
the reasoning that the taller species
The monitoring data provides useful All tests described here were may be assumed to require higher
information to determine if plants conducted on the plants of Tower E. levels of maintenance. They may have
are in good health, or if they suffer more difficulties, when compared
from some deficit that can negatively Selection of Testing Areas and Trees to smaller trees, growing in such
affect their physiology. Such a deficit artificial conditions. Further, they are
could have dramatic consequences Considering the state of the planting not commonly applied in general
in this particular building, because site at the beginning of monitoring, living green technologies, so the
intervening with corrective Tower E has been divided into three opportunity to test their application
maintenance can be difficult and different classes of height: here was seen as fortuitous.
expensive. Replacing diseased trees by
lifting new trees of similar dimensions • Class 1: the “low” class, up to the In Figure 3.1 and Table 3.1, the trees
into position is not practical, with the 7th floor selected for the monitoring are listed
exception of the lower floors. • Class 2: the “middle” class, from and schematically represented.
the 8th to the 12th floor
Therefore, through this data, it is • Class 3: the “high” class, from the The tree numbering system works as
possible to assess the effectiveness of 13th to the 18th floor follows:
the adopted agro-technical solutions
and their respective requirements for QI.02.V01
At the beginning of the first monitoring
ordinary or focused maintenance. The first two characters represent the
period in July 2013, the trees of the
scientific name of the tree species, e.g.,
last eight floors of Tower E had not
Lastly, the collected data represents a Quercus ilex = QI.
yet been installed. The trees and the
“historic archive” that can potentially shrubs of these highest floors were
be useful for future checks of Bosco The second two characters indicate the
planted on site after the beginning of
Verticale’s trees. The assumption of the floor number where the tree is located.
the monitoring, so the research team
monitoring is that the more intense decided to repeat in 2014 testing on the
climatic and environmental conditions The third set of characters indicates the
same trees tested in 2013, in order to
on the terraces of the tower at height number assigned to the terrace during
obtain comparative data.
could be “aggressive stressors” for plants research.
that take root inside the containers. For each class, the tested trees are
All the specimens of the species listed
oriented to the four cardinal points,
In order to assess the health of the below (installed on Tower E) were
except for class 2, in which no trees
trees, the monitoring program is based analyzed:
were tested on the north façade.
on the following activities: Twenty-seven trees were selected in all:
• Fagus sylvatica, European beech
10 trees in class 1; seven trees in class 2;
• Selecting testing areas and trees = FG
and 10 trees in class 3 (Figure 3.1).
• Checking the success rate of • Parrotia persica, Persian
planting and measuring growth The chosen trees were classified ironwood = PP
activity according to the maximum height that • Quercus ilex, Holly oak = QI
34
NORTH FAÇADE EAST FAÇADE SOUTH FAÇADE WEST FAÇADE
floor
.........................
26th
.........................
25th
.........................
24th
........................
Not tested trees:
23rd
........................ trees planted after
nd
22
......................... the beginning
21st
......................... of the monitoring
20 th
.........................
n°27
19th
......................... QI
18th
.........................
17th
......................... n°26
n°25 PSA
16th
......................... CC
n°21 n°20 n°22 n°24 n°23 Class 3
15th
......................... CC PP PP QI QI
th
n°18 n°19
14
......................... PP QI
13th
.........................
th
12
......................... n°17
11th
......................... n°16 n°15 QI
th
PSA PSA
10
......................... Class 2
n°12 n°14 n°13 n°11
9th
......................... FG QI QI QI
8th
.........................
7th
.........................
th
6
.........................
n°10
5th
......................... n°8 n°9 QI
PSA PSA Class 1
th
4
......................... n°7
n°3 n°2 PSA n°5 n°6 n°1
3rd
......................... n°4 FG FG FG QI QI
nd PR
2
.........................
1st
.........................
0
Figure 3.1
The four façades of the Tower E with the trees selected for the first monitoring program, June - October 2013
of the tests could be applied to the • two in class 2: one east, one Determining the Success of
Prunus for the same reason. southeast Plantings
• one in class 3: east
The orientation of the selected species The monitoring of the success rate
is as follows: of planting was done simply through
Parrotia persica, Persian ironwood (3
observing the general conditions of
trees)
Corylus columa, Turkish hazel (2 trees) the trees after installation, with respect
• three in class 3: two north, one
• two in class 3: both north to the parameters outlined below.
east
36
Tree Species Class Orientation Trunk Trunk Height Crown Graft Annotation
Number Diameter [cm] Circumference [cm] [m] Height [m]
2 European beech 1 North 10.0 27.0 4.0
3 European beech 1 North 10.0 28.0 3.5
5 European beech 1 East 7.0 24.0 4.2 Chlorosis
12 European beech 2 East 8.0 24.0 4.0
4 Higan cherry 1 North 10.0 33.0 3.5 2.00
7 Higan cherry 1 East 11.0 34.0 3.7 1.90
8 Higan cherry 1 North --- --- --- ---
9 Higan cherry 1 East/south-east 11.0 34.0 4.0 2.00
15 Higan cherry 2 East/south-east 12.0 37.0 4.0 2.10
16 Higan cherry 2 South/East 12.0 37.0 4.0 2.00
26 Higan cherry 3 East/south-east 11.0 36.0 4.0 2.00
1 Holly oak 1 West 10.0 31.0 5.2
6 Holly oak 1 South 10.0 28.0 5.0
10 Holly oak 1 South 11.0 35.0 4.7
11 Holly oak 2 West 10.0 31.0 5.0
13 Holly oak 2 South 10.0 31.0 6.1
14 Holly oak 2 South 10.5 33.0 5.4 circumference at
80 cm from the bottom
17 Holly oak 2 South 9.5 30.5 4.4 slight withering
19 Holly oak 3 South 8.0 29.0 5.2
23 Holly oak 3 South 9.0 26.0 5.4
24 Holly oak 3 South 8.0 26.0 5.7
27 Holly oak 3 West 10.5 32.0 4.9 Pathogen: Phylloxera
18 Persian ironwood 3 North 8.5 27.0 4.8
20 Persian ironwood 3 North 6.0 20.0 4.8
22 Persian ironwood 3 East 6.0 19.0 4.9
21 Turkish hazel 3 North 12.0 36.0 4.8
25 Turkish hazel 3 North 12.0 35.0 4.9
Table 3.2 *Note, “crown graft height” is the height on the trunk where the scion
The selected trees species and measured height, on the first monitoring period, September 2013 of one plant is inserted into the trunk of another
The third and final tree monitoring • chlorophyll fluorescence and basic trigonometry. First, the observer
was conducted on May 14th, 2014. On leaf heavy-metal content measures the straight-line distance
this occasion, one tree, the Quercus (For assessing the effects of (D) from the observation point (O) to
ilex (tree number 23, class 3, south) environmental stressors) the object. Then, using the clinometer,
appeared partly desiccated, and lacked the observer measures the angle (a)
new branches and leaves. All the Each of the tests is detailed below. between the point (O) and the top of
other trees showed good vegetation the object. Then the observer does
conditions. Tree Size the same for the angle (b) between
The height of selected trees was the point (O) and the bottom of the
The Research: Checking Tree Health determined by a clinometer, an object. Multiplying the straight-line
Through Field and Laboratory Tests instrument for measuring slope angles distance (D) with the tangent of (a)
and the elevation or depression of gives the height of the object above
The monitoring through field tests an object with respect to gravity. the observer. Multiplying the straight-
focused on the following parameters: Clinometers measure both inclines line distance (D) with the tangent of
(positive slopes) and declines (b) gives the depth of the object below
• tree size (negative slopes). the observer. Summing these two last
• leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) measures, the total height of the object
and leaf nutrient content (for The clinometer is normally used in is obtained (Table 3.2). Note, “crown
assessing nutrition) forestry and operates through rules of graft height” is the height on the
trunk where the scion of one plant is
37
Figure 3.2 Figure 3.3
Minolta SPAD 502 Plus Chlorophyll Meter SPAD instrument being used to measure the chlorophyll content in the leaves
38
Leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD)
Trees in class 1 - 2 - 3: from 2nd to 18th floor
Persian ironwood
Persian ironwood
Persian ironwood
European beech
European beech
European beech
European beech
Turkish hazel
Turkish hazel
Higan cherry
Higan cherry
Higan cherry
Higan cherry
Higan cherry
Higan cherry
Higan cherry
Holly oak
Holly oak
Holly oak
Holly oak
Holly oak
Holly oak
Holly oak
Holly oak
Holly oak
Holly oak
Holly oak
The range of SPAD units is between
0.0 and 99.9. Annual variations of CCI
2 3 5 4 7 8 9 1 6 10 12 15 16 11 13 14 17 26 19 23 24 27 18 20 22 21 25
readings generally show a tendency
Tree species - Tree number
to increase during the vegetative
period. In standard conditions,
a normal range of CCI is a value
between 40 and 60, although the Figure 3.4
values may be different from species Leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) of all the monitored trees
The normal range of leaf chlorophyll content is between 40 and 60 SPAD units, although the values may be
to species (Table 3.3 & Figure 3.4). different across tree species. It is important to underline that the annual variation of Chlorophyll Content Index
(CCI) generally indicates an annual tendency to increase during the vegetative (growth) period.
For each tree, the SPAD value was
obtained through five to seven
individual measures on different leaves.
The leaf chlorophyll content was
measured on July 17th and September
26th, 2013 and on June 19th, 2014.
It is possible to assert that the
measured values were in accordance
with data recorded on similar trees
“The SPAD values describe subtle
living in “normal conditions” (Figure
3.4); no significant differences were
changes or trends in plant health
observed between the three different
classes and orientations, but some long before they are visible to
differences occurred between
monitoring periods. the human eye; consequently
For Turkish hazel, good values
were found in all three seasons of they can inform decisions on
monitoring. For European beech, the
monitoring showed generally low-to-
intermediate values, especially during
whether to fertilize the plant or
the last spring (2014), when compared
to other trees in class 1 (Figure 3.5). For to conduct further analysis.”
39
Leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD)
100 Trees in class 1: from 2nd to 7th floor 2013 July
2013 September
90
2014 June
80 Normal Range
70
SPAD [Spad unit]
60
51.6
50.1
48.1
46.6
46.5
45.0
44.3
50
43.9
43.4
42.6
42.5
41.1
41.0
40.3
39.6
39.4
34.4
40
32.9
32.6
32.5
32.5
32.0
27.4
25.4
30
20
10
0
European European European Higan Higan Higan Higan Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Persian ironwood, normal values were
beech beech beech cherry cherry cherry cherry
2 3 5 4 7 8 9 1 6 10 found in autumn; and there were some
Tree species - Tree number
insignificant differences between the
Figure 3.5
Leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) of the trees in class 1 two springtime sessions.
60
higher (and better) in the summertime;
52.5
49.8
50
42.4
42.0
41.8
41.2
41.0
40.0
39.1
38.8
35.1
34.8
40
33.9
33.5
31.3
55.0
60
53.3
49.4
49.0
49.0
48.2
48.1
48.0
46.7
46.1
45.4
45.3
45.1
44.4
44.4
50
43.3
42.2
40.9
40.8
39.2
39.1
37.5
36.7
34.4
40
• 2 trees in class 1: oriented north
31.6
30
23.7
10
Holly oak (6 specimens):
0
Higan Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Persian Persian Persian Turkish Turkish • 2 trees in class 1: one oriented
cherry ironwood ironwood ironwood hazel hazel
26 19 23 24 27 18 20 22 21 25 south, one west
Tree species - Tree number
Figure 3.7
Leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) of the trees in class 3
40
• 3 trees in class 2: two oriented standard agronomic methods. the leaf nutrient content of the trees,
south, one west Samples are acquired using rapid class and orientation.
• 3 trees in class 3: two oriented drying at 105 °C. After drying, particles
south, one west are reduced in size by either cutting A “survey range” is provided when data
or powdering in order to obtain a are within the survey range, trees have
suitable laboratory sample. For total a normal tissue nutrient concentration
Higan cherry (1 specimen):
Nitrogen, determination is done (Mills & Jones, 1996). However,
• 2 trees in class 1: oriented east
using the Dumas method (Nitrogen lower and upper limits of nutrient
analyzers). For other elements, a concentration are not clearly defined.
Persian ironwood (2 specimens): wet acid digestion procedure (Nitric Lower values do not necessarily
• 2 trees in class 3: oriented north acid + Hydrogen peroxide) is used indicate deficiencies, and higher values
• 1 tree in class 3: oriented east (microwave digestion). Afterwards, do not mean toxicity. This means that
wet acid digestion elements are moderate value fluctuations can be
The leaf nutrient content was determined in atomic absorption considered “normal” in this analysis.
measured on September 26th, 2013 spectrometry (cations) or colorimetry
and May 30th, 2014. Analyses were (P) techniques. The aim of the tests Generally all values lie in a normal
carried out in a laboratory using was to verify a correlation between range, although iron content is very
Total Nitrogen [% dm] Total Phosphorus [% dm] Total Potassium [% dm] Total Iron [ppm]
Species Class Sept. 26, May 30, Sept. 26, May 30, Sept. 26, May 30, Sept. 26, May 30,
2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014
European beech 1 2.34 2.84 0.06 0.19 0.71 1.65 314 111
European beech 2 1.81 2.91 0.07 0.16 0.68 1.25 377 230
Survey range 1.5-2.5 0.06-0.20 0.3-0.84 58-190
Higan cherry 1 2.51 --- 0.11 --- 1.88 --- 325 ---
Survey range 1.85-2.47 0.14-0.20 1.23-1.45 30-80
Holly oak 1 1.51 2.01 0.08 0.16 0.55 1.18 467 145
Holly oak 1 1.58 2.10 0.06 0.22 0.93 1.76 312 141
Holly oak 2 1.43 1.75 0.04 0.14 0.71 0.88 247 158
Holly oak 2 1.67 2.13 0.09 0.20 0.95 1.33 292 214
Holly oak 3 1.47 1.88 0.04 0.19 0.62 1.06 384 108
Holly oak 3 1.22 2.10 0.07 0.12 0.72 0.96 174 209
Survey range 1.17-1.39 0.06-0.11 0.53-0.68 50-75
Persian ironwood 3 2.11 2.02 0.07 0.12 0.78 0.90 339 211
Persian ironwood 3 2.17 1.70 0.07 0.16 0.53 1.18 414 117
Survey range 1.64-2.51 0.09-0.23 0.82-1.03 40-60
Adopted methods for leaf analysis:
Table 3.4 Nitrogen = Dumas; Phosphorus, Iron = Mills and Jones, 1996; Potassium, Lead, Cadmium, Copper, Zinc = EPA
Leaf nutrient content: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and Iron 3051A:2007 and EPA 7000B:2007
41
Leaf nutrient content
3.5
TOTAL NITROGEN 2013 September
2014 May
2.91
2.84
3 Normal Range
2.51
2.34
2.5
2.17
2.13
Total Nitrogen [% dm]
2.11
2.10
2.10
2.02
2.01
1.88
1.81
2
1.75
1.70
1.67
1.58
1.51
1.47
1.43
1.5
1.22
1
0.5
0
high in all samples, especially those European European
beech beech
Higan
cherry
Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Persian Persian
ironwood ironwood
resulting from the 2013 monitoring 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 3
Tree species - Tree CLASS
(Figure 3.11). High iron concentrations
Figure 3.8
may cause antagonism with other Leaf nutrient content: total nitrogen
elements (such as phosphorous,
manganese, and copper), but in
the monitored trees no abnormal
symptoms were seen. Moreover,
the lower values found in the final
Leaf nutrient content
monitoring indicate that the element 0.35
TOTAL PHOSPHORUS 2013 September
concentration is normalizing and 2014 May
0.3 Normal Range
that the first data may have been
influenced by nursery fertilization 0.25
0.22
Total Phosphorus [% dm]
before planting.
0.20
0.19
0.19
0.2
0.16
0.16
0.16
Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium
0.14
0.15
0.12
0.12
are generally higher in the 2014
0.11
0.09
monitoring results compared to those
0.08
0.1
0.07
0.07
0.07
0.07
0.06
0.06
0.04
0.05
related to a greater root activity in the
springtime, and to the mineralization of 0
European European Higan Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Persian Persian
organic matter in the growing media. beech beech cherry ironwood ironwood
1 2 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 3
Tree species - Tree CLASS
Furthermore, these differences are Figure 3.9
related to the different sampling Leaf nutrient content: total phosphorus
seasons (autumn 2013 and spring
2014): normally higher values
correspond to a greater vegetative
activity. No differences were found
between species and classes. Leaf nutrient content
3.5 TOTAL POTASSIUM 2013 September
2014 May
In conclusion, the nutrient condition 3 Normal Range
2
1.76
1.5
1.25
1.18
1.18
1.06
0.90
0.88
1
0.78
0.71
0.68
0.62
0.55
0.53
0.5
42
Leaf nutrient content
500 2013 September
467
TOTAL IRON
2014 May
450 Normal Range
414
384
377
400
339
325
350 314
312
292
Total Iron [ppm]
300
247
250 230
214
211
209
200
174
158
145
141
150
117
111
108
100
50
0
European European Higan Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Persian Persian
beech beech cherry ironwood ironwood
1 2 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 3
Tree species - Tree CLASS
43
Chlorophyll fluorescence fv/fm
Tree Number Species Class Orientation July 17, 2013 Sept 26, 2013 June 19, 2014
2 European beech 1 North 0.802 --- 0.818
3 European beech 1 North 0.821 0.815 0.826
5 European beech 1 East 0.766 0.779 0.824
12 European beech 2 East 0.803 0.773 0.822
4 Higan cherry 1 North 0.840 --- 0.820
7 Higan cherry 1 East 0.829 0.844 0.830
8 Higan cherry 1 North 0.838 --- ---
9 Higan cherry 1 East/ south-east 0.824 --- ---
15 Higan cherry 2 East/ south-east 0.846 --- 0.840
16 Higan cherry 2 South/East 0.816 --- 0.820
26 Higan cherry 3 East/ south-east 0.847 0.817 0.817
1 Holly oak 1 West 0.832 0.816 0.800 - (0.803*)
6 Holly oak 1 South 0.774 0.789 0.795 - (0.800*)
10 Holly oak 1 South 0.809 0.774 0.802 - (0.807*)
11 Holly oak 2 West 0.815 0.809 0.790 - (0.802*)
13 Holly oak 2 South 0.805 0.812 0.739 - (0.785*)
14 Holly oak 2 South 0.825 0.781 0.836 - (0.819*)
17 Holly oak 2 South 0.802 0.814 0.820 - (0.823*)
19 Holly oak 3 South 0.808 0.763 0.801 - (0.815*)
23 Holly oak 3 South 0.730 0.796 ---
24 Holly oak 3 South 0.812 0.790 0.810 - (0.811*)
27 Holly oak 3 West 0.818 0.799 0.805 - (0.805*)
18 Persian ironwood 3 North 0.807 0.808 0.812
20 Persian ironwood 3 North 0.799 0.818 0.810
22 Persian ironwood 2 East 0.775 0.818 0.814
21 Turkish hazel 3 North 0.851 0.834 0.855
25 Turkish hazel 3 North 0.845 0.840 0.845
(n*): data on 1 year Fo = value of fluorescence in the ground state of the electron: minimal fluorescence
old leaves Fm = maximum value of fluorescence after excitation of the electron
Fv = Fm — Fo
Fv/Fm = maximum quantum efficiency of the primary photochemistry of photosystem II: in leaves under normal
physiological conditions this value is close to 0.8; lower values indicate damage to the photosystem
Table 3.5
Chlorophyll fluorescence
Chlorophyll fluorescence
Upon the application of a saturating 0.860
European beech + Persian ironwood
CLASS 1 floors 2-7
flash of actinic light (3.000 μmol m-2 Values according to different classes
CLASS 2 floors 8-12
CLASS 3 floors 13-18
s-1 for 1 second), fluorescence raises 0.840
Normal Range
from the ground state value (Fo) to
0.823
Chlorophyll fluorescence [FV/FM]
0.818
0.820
0.811
0.797
0.796
0.796
44
Chlorophyll fluorescence
0.860 European beech + Persian ironwood
North
Values according to different exposures
East
Normal Range
0.840
0.819
0.817
0.817
Chlorophyll fluorescence [FV/FM]
0.820
0.799
0.792
0.800
0.787
0.780
0.760
0.740
conditions when the ratio Fv/Fm is
July 2013 September 2013 May 2014 near to 0.8 (regardless of the species).
Monitoring time
The results show a normal condition
Figure 3.15
Chlorophyll fluorescence of European beech and Persian ironwood, according to different exposures
for all the monitored trees.
0.820
0.805
0.805
0.804
0.799
0.800
0.787
0.740
Analyses were carried out in a laboratory
July 2013 September 2013 May 2014 by using the official methods of the
Monitoring time
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA
Figure 3.16
Chlorophyll fluorescence of Holly oaks, according to different classes 3051A:2007 and EPA 7000B:2007). The
intent was to verify the concentration of
metals on the leaves in relation to floor
height and orientation.
0.820
As reference values, a normal range is
0.808
0.800
0.800
0.790
45
Leaf heavy-metal content
Species Class Total Lead [ppm] Total Cadmium [ppm] Total Copper [ppm] Total Zinc [ppm]
Sept. 26, May 30, Sept. 26, May 30, Sept. 26, May 30, Sept. 26, May 30,
2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014
Figure 3.18
The transport of the trees at the construction site (Source: Peverelli S.r.l.)
46
10
Leaf heavy metals content
2013 September
9 TOTAL LEAD
2014 May
Normal Range
8
7
7
6 6 6
Total Lead [ppm]
6
5 5 5 5
5
4 4 4 4
4
3 3 3
3
2 2 2
2
<1 1 <1
1
0
European European
beech beech
Higan
cherry
Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Persian Persian
ironwood ironwood In 2013, normal values of lead and
1 2 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 3 cadmium were found, while there
Tree species - Tree CLASS
were higher values of zinc and, in the
Figure 3.19
Leaf heavy-metal content: total lead
same case, of copper, possibly due to
pesticide treatments in the nursery.
1 <1 1 <1 1 <1 1 <1 1 <1 <1 <1 1 1 1 1 1 <1 1 1 1 1 The results of monitoring show that,
1
after less than two years since planting,
the general condition of the trees was
0.5 good (Table 3.7).
12
12 12 a critical factor – there were just two
11 11 11
10
10 10 10 months with warm days and high air
9 9 9 9 9 9
8
8 8 humidity. The winter was mild. During
7
6 6 6 spring and early summer of 2014 (until
6
4
the 10th of July) the weather was cool
4
and rainy, so trees did not suffer any
2
thermal stress. The wind, particularly
0
European European Higan Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Persian Persian
during spring 2014, was strong for
beech
1
beech
2
cherry
1 1 1 2 2 3 3
ironwood ironwood
3 3
many days. During the monitoring in
Tree species - Tree CLASS May, the wind was notably stronger at
Figure 3.21 higher floors.
Leaf heavy-metal content: total copper
47
80 Leaf heavy metals content 2013 September
TOTAL ZINC 2014 May
Normal
70 68
65 Range
63
60
The data of chlorophyll fluorescence
show that during the first two seasons
50 49
Total Zinc [ppm]
47 47
43 43
46
43
there were no significant effects of
40 37
35
environmental stressors on the tower’s
30 28 27
29 28
31
27 28
trees, regardless of class or orientation.
22
24 Results were always calibrated to the
20
reference standard value (Fv/Fm=0.8),
10 which indicates good physiological
0
condition.
European European Higan Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Holly oak Persian Persian
beech beech cherry ironwood ironwood
1 2 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 3 With respect to chlorophyll content,
Tree species - Tree CLASS results were different from species
Figure 3.22 to species, and between different
Leaf heavy-metal content: total zinc
ACTION 1 ACTION 2
Nutrition assessment Effects of environmental stressor
European beech
lower values
Classes
in spring 2014 Class 1 No influences No influences No influences
(tower height)
Higan cherry
[1; 2; 3]
lower values in Class 2
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
Persian Ironwood
Orientations
lower values No influences No influences No influences
[N; E; S; W]
to North
All species
All species
Holly oaks higher values of Nitrogen,
higher values of Zinc
lower values in spring 2014 Phosphorous, Potassium
in 2013.
Turkish hazel in 2014.
Seasons All species
higher values in spring All species No influences
[S; S; A; W] very high concentration of
2014 (in normal range) very high concentration
Iron in 2013, probably, as
Higan cherry of Iron in 2013 =>
effect of pesticide treatments
lower values in spring 2014 probably, as effect of
in nursery
fertilization in nursery
Table 3.7
Adaptation of trees to different heights and orientations: synthesis of the results
48
monitoring periods it was possible to found and the nutrient condition of No fertilizations were performed
note some differences. Considering an the plants were good. Heavy-metal during these first two years, so trees
average reference range between 40 content was generally within a normal have used what the substrate has
and 60 Chlorophyll Content Index, some range, while for copper and zinc the produced (exchangeable nutrients
European beeches showed low results, higher values (possibly related to and organic matter mineralization).
not correlated to height or exposure. pesticide treatments in the nursery) The absence of natural runoff
were never at toxicity level. prevents loss of nutrients, so that the
The better results were obtained reserves present in the substrate can
during the end of the summer of 2013. As to growing media, its initial be fully used by roots. A monitoring
This is normal, considering this index, properties showed high total porosity of nutrient content in the growing
because readings generally show an (almost 70%), good water retention, a media would be recommended
increasing trend during the vegetative total weight at maximum saturation before the next new growing season.
period. For Persian ironwood, low level less than 1,300 kg/m3 (about
results were found in the last spring 750 kg/m2 for a depth of 50 cm), with
monitoring, especially for trees an air volume of about 20% in such
with northern exposure. Holly oaks conditions. For chemical properties,
provided good results, in accordance the substrate had a neutral pH, low
with data recorded on similar trees salinity, no lime, about 10% dry
living in “normal conditions.” Just a few organic matter, good cation (charged
specimens showed marginal values in ion) exchange capacity, and a high
the last springtime monitoring. level of exchangeable potassium and
available phosphorus.
Turkish hazels provided good values
in all monitoring, while the few data
for Higan cherry showed generally
standard values (lower in spring 2014
for trees in class 2).
Greenery in the Context of Tall 3. Plants using solar energy for their • structures that support and
Buildings transpiration and photosynthesis: attach plants to the façade
These two processes are • the irrigation system
Façades covered with plants are responsible for air temperature
generally considered positive for reduction, since the sensible heat
Depending on the plant species,
sustainability because of the benefits is converted into latent heat, and
planting media, and support
that vegetation brings to the external lower external air temperatures
structures used, one can distinguish
environment, such as air temperature imply less consumption of
multiple types of green walls, which are
mitigation, air humidity increase as cooling energy in interiors.
broadly grouped into two categories:
an effect of evapotranspiration, dust
“Façade-Supported Green Walls”
absorption, pollution reduction, BVOC In recent years, numerous vertical and “Façade-Integrated Living Walls”
(Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds) greenery systems have been (Figure 4.1). Further categories include
production, carbon sequestration, and implemented, with increasing success. “Stepped Terraces” and “Cantilevering
so on (for more on this, see Chapter 1.0).
Tree Balconies,” the latter of which is
Green Wall Definition and Typologies the type of system used at Project.
Those benefits are variable, depending As per CTBUH Technical Guide, Green
on the positioning of the vegetation. Walls in High-Rise Buildings (Wood, Façade-Supported Green Walls
Their magnitude is influenced by the Bahrami, Safarik, 2014) A façade-supported green wall is a
size and thickness of the crop, and by
green wall system supported off a
the leaf characteristics specific to each The “green wall” or “vegetated façade” façade, in which the planting medium
species. is defined as a system in which plants is not integral to the façade. Usually it is
grow on a vertical surface, such as carried in horizontal planters, which may
As to the benefits to the internal a building façade, in a controlled be supported directly from the façade.
environment of a building, the fashion and with regular maintenance.
vegetation on the façade reduces the Climbing plants grow naturally A façade-supported green wall
cooling load during the warm season, on building façades by attaching structural system is usually comprised
due to reducing solar gain through themselves directly to vertical surfaces of steel, wood, or plastic trellises
the envelope. This advantage is one by means of various mechanisms. Self- externally attached to a building
of the most significant and depends clinging climbers and self-supporting façade, where plants are supported
essentially on three main factors and woody plants can attach themselves by horizontal, vertical, or diagonal
their interaction: directly to the façade surface or grow trellis members. Climbing plants and
along the façade without any added vines used in green façades grow from
1. Plants acting as a sunscreen: support. Other plant species, including planters located on the ground or at
The shielding capacity of the climbers with aerial roots, suckers multiple intervals along the height of
leaves (which is particularly or tendrils, twining climbers, and lax the façade. Green façades can be two-
efficient due to phototropism) shrubs (ramblers), require additional dimensional, formed by cables, ropes,
reduces the absorption of solar support, such as trellises, netting, or and meshes, or three-dimensional,
radiation of the shaded layers, wires attached to the façade surface, to formed by rigid frames and cages.
and therefore the heat transfer promote or sustain vertical growth.
to the indoors
Sub-categories of façade-supported
2. Plants acting as a windscreen: The main elements of green walls are green walls are recognized according
Although leaves are thus: to their structural support system, as
characterized by certain levels of • plants outlined below.
wind permeability, they help to • planting media
reduce convective heat transfer
50
Façade supported green wall Façade supported green wall Vegetated mat living wall
with two-dimensional with three-dimensional
trellis trellis
Figure 4.1
Diagrammatic representation of varying types of green walls (Souce: Irina Susorova, CTBUH Technical Guide Green Walls in High-Rise Buildings (Wood, Bahrami, Safarik, 2014) page 16)
Metal Mesh Green Wall Rigid Green Wall façade surface by a waterproof
A metal mesh green wall uses a tightly This system can utilize two and membrane layer intended to protect
intertwined grid of aluminum or three-dimensional trellises that can the rest of the façade construction
lightweight steel attached to the façade be attached to a wall substrate, built from unwanted moisture. Irrigation
via brackets. Plants typically grow from around columns, or can be free- systems can be accompanied with
planters or troughs at the base of the standing. rain sensors to make the living
wall. wall’s needed irrigation more
Living Walls efficient and sustainable. There are
Cable-Supported Green Wall A living wall is a system in which multiple variations of living walls, as
This type of green façade uses flexible vegetation is not only attached to a highlighted below:
cables that are used to support plants building façade, but is fully integrated
in irregularly-shaped and wide-span into the façade construction, in Vegetated Mat Living Wall
installations. which plants and planting media This type of living wall consists of a
are both placed on the vertical fabric layer attached to a rigid substrate.
surface of the exterior wall. Typically, Pre-grown plants are inserted into
living walls are separated from the
51
are varied or require a large amount of
soil, and can be used as both a green
roof and a green wall.
52
Energy Performance Calculations
53
(LAIH) are used in order to get the
Horizontal Bulk Extinction Vertical Bulk Extinction equivalent LAI (LAIV, and hence the
Leaf Distribution Coefficient for Long-wave Coefficient for Long-wave solar transmission coefficient, τSolar) for
Radiation (Ki,H) Radiation (Ki,V)
vertical displacement, considering the
vegetation as isotropic and according
Horizontal 1; 1.05 0.436
to the following equations (Palomo Del
Conical (α = 45°) 0.829 0.829
Barrio, 1998):
Vertical (α = 90°) 0.436 1; 1.05
Spherical 0.684; 0.81 0.684; 0.81
Ks,H = 0.74 x Ki,H
Table 4.1
kE = LAIH x (Ks,H/htree)
Bulk extinction coefficient for long-wave radiation, for idealized angle distributions referenced to horizontal
and vertical sections (Source: Palomo Del Barrio) Ks,V = 0.74 x Ki,V
LAIV = kE x (Ltree/Ks,V)
τSolar = e¯Ltree x kE
Corylus colurna 1.15 0.703 4.9 0.16 1.80 0.41 0.73 0.74
coefficient for long-wave
Prunus subirtella autumnalis 3.85 0.703 4 0.68 2.00 0.41 3.33 0.26
radiation, referred to the
Olea europea 0.53 0.703 3 0.12 1.60 0.41 0.49 0.82
horizontal surface and
Amelanchier 3.3 0.703 2 1.16 1.60 0.41 4.56 0.16 calculated by interpolation from
Sambucus nigra 0.65 0.703 1 0.46 1.40 0.41 1.57 0.53 Table 4.1 [-/-]
Herbaceous 2 0.703 0.4 3.52 1.00 0.41 8.64 0.03
• Ki,V is the bulk extinction
coefficient for long-wave
Table 4.2
Application of calculation procedure for determining the coefficient of solar transmittance, starting from the radiation, referred to the vertical
LAI detection of the trees surface and calculated by
interpolation from Table 4.1 [-/-]
• Ks,H is the bulk extinction
coefficient, referred to the
software. It is based on the Thermal Regarding the weather data, the test horizontal surface and
Transfer Function Method, and is reference year of Milan is used in order calculated [-/-] (Table 4.2)
able to calculate the thermal energy to get reliable and site-specific results. • Ks,V is the bulk extinction
behavior of the building using sub- coefficient, referred to the
hourly calculation time-steps, taking To obtain the results, the optical vertical surface and calculated
into account both the envelope and description of the vegetation is needed, [-/-] (Table 4.2)
the HVAC system and occupants. In this so that the shadows cast by the trees • Ltree is the average diameter of
way, a detailed assessment of the space may be reliably calculated (Table 4.1). the tree, [m] (Table 4.2)
heating/cooling energy is provided. For this purpose, the values of LAI
measured on a horizontal surface
54
** [-/-] symbol indicates a apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ Category Design Daily schedule
dimensionless figure energyplus/weatherdata_about.cfm). level
People 14 00:00 -> 08:00: 100%
In particular, in the frame of the present The plants and trees are considered people 08:00 -> 19:00: 20%
analysis, the following values for Ki,H as plane-shading surfaces occupying 19:00 -> 24:00: 100%
and Ki,V are assumed: the average section of the actual plant
Lights + 500 W 00:00 -> 08:00: 100%
or tree. The related solar transmission Plug loads
Ki,H = 0.95 08:00 -> 19:00: 20%
coefficients are calculated as described
Ki,V = 0.55 in the previous section. However, this 19:00 -> 24:00: 100%
value is used only during the cooling Table 4.3
Input Data period (i.e. from April 15 to October Design level assumptions of heat gains for building
energy simulations
15), whereas in the heating period, 10%
The assessment of the space heating/ of this value is considered, due to the
cooling energy needs is performed, reduction of leaf cover.
referring to a reference intermediate
floor. The main input data about the Output Data
envelope and occupancy are:
Service Temperature [°C]
• the thermal transmittance of the The main results presented in the
construction (external walls and Heating 20°C
frame of this analysis consist of:
floors) Cooling 26°C
Yearly analysis:
• Solar heat gains entering the Table 4.4
• the design levels of internal heat Heating and cooling set-point temperatures for
gains, represented in Table 4.3. reference floor in winter and in indoor air
summer
Moreover, the floor is provided with
mechanical ventilation, at a rate equal to
0.3 air changes per hour.
55
SOLAR GAIN THERMAL LOAD (sensible)
Winter Summer Winter Summer
Heating Cooling
Figure 4.5
Annual solar gains and thermal load of a typical floor (6th floor) of Bosco Verticale
• Space heating/cooling floor of the building in winter and in radiation during the winter season by
(sensible*) energy needs summer, as well as the consequent 32% and 21%, for configurations C.a
sensible space heating/cooling energy and C.b respectively, compared with
* “Sensible” in this context = heat needs, in the three configurations. The Configuration C.c, thus resulting in 44%
energy that changes temperature but values of space heating/cooling energy and 24% higher space heating energy
not other properties of a body, such as needs can be converted into more needs, respectively.
pressure or volume. versatile parameters and assigned to a
single unit of floor area: On the other hand, in configurations
Summer design day analysis: C.a and C.b, terraces and trees block
• Hourly solar heat gain entering Space heating energy needs: 49% and 35% of the solar radiation
the reference floor • Configuration C.a: 23.2 kWh/ entering the reference floor in summer,
(m2/year) compared with configuration C.c, thus
• Space cooling capacity needed
• Configuration C.b: 18.7 kWh/ making it possible to decrease space-
to maintain comfort conditions
(m2/year) cooling energy consumption by about
inside the reference floor
68% and 46%, respectively (Figure 4.6).
• Configuration C.c: 16.9 kWh/
In particular, three building envelope (m2/year)
However, in order to understand the
configurations are simulated: real influence of the terraces and trees
C.a) The actual configuration, i.e. Space cooling energy needs: on the yearly energy consumption, the
the actual building with terraces • Configuration C.a: 7.0 kWh/(m2/ electric energy consumed by the heat
and trees year) pumps and chillers providing heating/
C.b) The actual configuration with • Configuration C.b: 11.8 kWh/ cooling for the building must be
no trees, i.e. the plain building with (m2/year) assessed. Considering seasonal values
terraces only of the Coefficient of Performance (COP)
• Configuration C.c: 22.0 kWh/
C.c) The base building, with no of the heat pump and the Seasonal
(m2/year)
terraces or trees Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) of the
chiller, equal to 2.5 and 3.5 respectively,
Figure 4.5 represents the solar radiation It is evident that the presence of
the following yearly consumptions of
entering the considered reference terraces and additional trees decreases
electricity are achieved:
the amount of collected solar
56
Winter Summer
Space heating energy needs Space cooling energy needs
[kWh/m2/y] [kWh/m2/y]
Figure 4.6
Annual solar gains and thermal load of a typical floor (6th floor) of Bosco Verticale: synthesis of the output data referred to a single unit of floor area
57
From this calculation, it is possible trees block unwanted solar radiation in cooling capacity in configurations C.b
to note that the presence of terraces the summer and desired solar radiation and, even more, in C.a, compared to
and vegetation decreases the yearly in the winter (though to a lesser degree configuration C.c. In fact, the installed
electricity consumption by about when leaves are lost). cooling capacity in configurations C.a
7.5% in both configurations C.a and and C.b is about 35% and 25% lower,
C.b with respect to configuration C.c. Figure 4.6 highlights one of the main respectively, than in configuration C.c.
The impact of the plants alone, when advantages linked to the use of Thus, relevant savings in HVAC system
compared to the combination of the terraces and trees. The decrease in solar installation are realized, in addition
planting containers, terraces and plants heat gains during the summer design to the savings in yearly electricity
themselves, is somewhat negligible. day is around 40%, thus ensuring consumption mentioned above.
Also, it must be acknowledged that a relevant decrease of the installed
Figure 4.8
Daily solar gains and thermal load of a typical floor (6th floor) of Bosco Verticale, during the hottest summer day
58
Final Considerations Use of Digital Photography in individual and ecosystem levels, such
Determining Vegetal Cover in Urban as evapotranspiration, photosynthesis,
The developed calculation procedure Settings the carbon cycle, microclimate, water,
provides results useful for evaluating and heat balance.
the performance of the building Dr. Francesco Chianucci made an
envelope. The analysis, conducted for inspection of Bosco Verticale in October The benefits provided by the
three different configurations of the 2013 and used the Plant Canopy vegetation canopy are widely
envelope (C.a, C.b, and C.c) affords a Analyzer instrumentation to detect LAI recognized, even in urban
comparison of the solar heat gains values of typical trees. He transmitted environments, as evidenced by the
and space heating/cooling energy the data (content in Figure 1.4) and increasing focus on ecological and
needs during one year and during the confirmed the difficulty of developing environmental aspects within urban
summer design day (Figure 4.8). reliable images for research purposes. and landscape planning. Consequently,
the proper characterization of the plant
The main thermal benefits derived After the inspection of the project, he canopy is a key element of sustainable
by the presence of the cantilevered wrote: urban planning.
terraces and trees around the external
walls occur in summer, and terraces The tree canopy represents the active The most commonly used attribute
clearly affect cooling loads more interface for the exchange of energy, to quantify the plant canopy is
significantly than trees. Moreover, water and carbon between plant and represented by the Leaf Area Index
terraces and trees together allow a atmosphere. Consequently, the tree (LAI), defined as “half the total green
decrease in installed cooling capacity, canopy influences a large number leaf area per unit of ground surface
thus ensuring relevant savings in the of bio-geochemical processes at the area”. The direct measurement of
initial costs of HVAC equipment. this attribute requires laborious and
Furthermore, it is important to
highlight two aspects:
Figure 4.9
Plant Canopy Analyzer LAI-2000
60
color green allows us to operate simple
transformations to obtain an accurate
separation of the plant canopy from
the surrounding elements. A simple
algebraic transformation of the RGB
channels of the image to characterize
the coverage would be: Leaf
coverage = 2G-R-B. This multispectral
transformation allows us to explore
the high contrast between the light
intensity reflected by the leaves and
other elements of the image.
61
5.0 Assessment of Tree Maintenance at Bosco Verticale
62
only on the trees’ growth, but also on maintenance activities, in particular the In order to cause the minimum
the energy consumption of the whole pruning, will be higher for trees of first damage to the trees, the research
building. Such an artificial vertical and second magnitude, since these tree team believes that pruning could be
landscape will need a large amount of species tend to grow more vigorously. annual and “green.” “Green pruning” is
water. It is reasonable to assume at least performed during the summertime,
as much water is necessary to maintain For estimating the duration and costs i.e. during the vegetative cycle,
vertical greenery as would be needed of pruning, it is important to remember with the purpose of removing the
for the same number of plants placed that access to the plant containers is vegetative vigor of some parts of the
on the ground. not conventional, nor simple. plant, so that the plant material to
be removed is not bulky and may be
Nowadays, water use needs to be The pruning operations at height disposed of outside the building. In
reduced, monitored, and properly obviously take more time than at this way, the containment of trees is
divided for the various needs of society, ground level. The removal of branches easier and faster. Furthermore, green
agriculture, industry, and the natural and pruned material is more difficult pruning is not so traumatic for the
environment. At Bosco Verticale, careful and slower on the towers. It is trees themselves, in particular for those
management of water resources is important to identify what type of plants with low tolerance for cuts.
needed to limit waste, and to supply pruning will be undertaken on the
the right amount of nourishment for trees, since the type and period of Following observations during the
trees and smaller plants. pruning can significantly affect the building monitoring, together with
growth of trees and, in general, the information obtained by green
Thus, the following chapter provides frequency of the maintenance. operators, it may be assumed that the
some consideration and methods median time for pruning one tree at
for the global management of the
Bosco Verticale vegetation, based on
calculation procedures for traditional
crops and observations in the field.
Figure 5.2
Crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and reference evapotranspiration (ETo) trends in the Po Valley
64
the Crop coefficient (Kc) value of the of soils, each with specific physical, The available water amount is different
crop – in a specific phenological stage chemical and biological properties. for the various types of soil. A sandy
– are known, it is possible to estimate Water retention is a physical property soil has less available water than a clay
the amount of water loss of the crop that is influenced by several factors: soil, an organic soil retains more water
(Crop evapotranspiration-ETc). particle size, bulk density, aggregate than a mineral one, a structured soil
stability, and size distribution. Soil has a better water retention than a
Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) holds water that may be withdrawn compacted one, and so on. Therefore it
and Crop evapotranspiration (ETc) by plants; this water amount varies is necessary to know the hydrological
values are normally given in millimeters from soil to soil. properties of the soil (Valagussa, 2011).
of water loss.
In agronomic applications, it is possible Method to Estimate the Water Needs
At the same time, when the water to quantify the amount of soil water of Container Trees
capacity of the soil (or of substrate) is that can be used by crops. The first proposed procedure for
known, it is possible to determine the estimating the irrigation water needs
number of days for which the water Water is retained by soil at different of the Bosco Verticale trees uses
reserve of the soil will be enough to levels of “water potential,” which is climatic data for container-grown tree
sustain crop growth. the work required to remove a unit management (Table 5.1).
quantity of water retained by the
The watering time can be calculated system. In agronomy, water potential The method is composed of five steps,
as follows: is expressed as pF. In a saturated soil, and the various factors related to
there is a maximum water capacity, but tree water loss are used to determine
Formula 2 in this stage, part of the water is not irrigation frequency (De Gaetano, 2000).
W = Etc – R – SW available for plants because it is free
W = Needed water [mm] to drain away (the water potential is These factors can be summarized as
ETc = Crop evapotranspiration [mm] therefore equal to zero, pF=0). follows:
R = Rain [mm]
SW = Amount of water in soil [mm] After the excess gravitational water • Crown projection of tree (CP):
has drained, the stage called “field Describes the size of the tree;
When the soil is saturated, the capacity” is reached (pF=2.5). It is at the value can be computed
needed water value (W) is negative. this stage that crops are able to use the by multiplying the square of
As the crop uses water (i.e. the crop water held in soil. The last stage is the the diameter of the crown by a
evapotranspiration Etc), the amount “permanent wilting point” (pF=4.2), coefficient=0.785
of water in the soil (SW) decreases, defined as the lower limit of available • Leaf area index (LAI): A
while the needed water (W) value water retained by soil. In this situation, dimensionless quantity that
approaches zero. When the needed plants are not able to use the water characterizes plant canopies
water W value is close to zero (or it in soil, because this water amount is and can be determined directly
is positive), it is watering time. The strongly retained by soil particles. or indirectly (measuring canopy
equation above also considers the geometry or light extinction);
supply of water from rain. The difference between water content LAI of deciduous trees in urban
at field capacity and water content at settings typically varies from
Hydrological Properties of the Soil permanent wilting point is defined as 2 to 8, and an LAI of 3 may
By determining the hydrological “available water.” This is the amount be used for trees with crown
properties of the soil, it is possible to of water that must be supplied with diameters <2 meters
define the right amount of water for irrigation, when needed.
• A set of historical daily
irrigation. There are different types
evaporation rates (reference
65
Method to Estimate the Water Needs of Container Trees
July 2014 - European Beech Class 2 - Exposure to East
Day ETo [m] CP [m2] LAI [-] PF [-] DF [-] WL [m3] S [m3] WHC [m3] Irrig. Annotation
1 0.0066 3.14 4.0 0.7 1 0.058 2.400 0.182 previous water content 0.240 m3
2 0.0065 3.14 4.0 0.7 1 0.057 2.400 0.125
3 0.0065 3.14 4.0 0.7 0.8 0.046 2.400 0.079 irrigation to bring water content to 0.240 m3
4 0.0066 3.14 4.0 0.7 1 0.058 2.400 0.182
5 0.0069 3.14 4.0 0.7 1 0.061 2.400 0.121
6 0.0068 3.14 4.0 0.7 0.7 0.042 2.400 0.079
7 0.0010 3.14 4.0 0.2 0.7 0.002 2.400 0.078
8 0.0010 3.14 4.0 0.2 0.7 0.002 2.400 0.076
9 0.0035 3.14 4.0 0.3 0.7 0.009 2.400 0.067
10 0.0045 3.14 4.0 0.4 0.7 0.016 2.400 0.051
11 0.0045 3.14 4.0 0.4 0.7 0.016 2.400 0.035
12 0.0055 3.14 4.0 0 0.7 0.000 2.400 0.035
13 0.0055 3.14 4.0 0.5 0.7 0.024 2.400 0.011 irrigation to bring water content to 0.240 m3
14 0.0054 3.14 4.0 0.5 1 0.034 2.400 0.206
15 0.0059 3.14 4.0 0.6 1 0.044 2.400 0.162
16 0.0010 3.14 4.0 0.2 1 0.003 2.400 0.159
17 0.0040 3.14 4.0 0.4 1 0.020 2.400 0.139
18 0.0045 3.14 4.0 0.4 1 0.023 2.400 0.116
19 0.0050 3.14 4.0 0.5 0.8 0.025 2.400 0.091
20 0.0055 3.14 4.0 0.5 0.7 0.024 2.400 0.067
21 0.0060 3.14 4.0 0.6 0.7 0.032 2.400 0.035 irrigation to bring water content to 0.240 m3
22 0.0065 3.14 4.0 0.7 1 0.057 2.400 0.183
23 0.0065 3.14 4.0 0.7 1 0.057 2.400 0.126
24 0.0068 3.14 4.0 0.7 0.8 0.048 2.400 0.078
25 0.0068 3.14 4.0 0.7 0.7 0.042 2.400 0.036 irrigation to bring water content to 0.240 m3
26 0.0068 3.14 4.0 0.7 1 0.060 2.400 0.180
27 0.0066 3.14 4.0 0.7 1 0.058 2.400 0.122
28 0.0066 3.14 4.0 0.7 0.8 0.046 2.400 0.076
29 0.0065 3.14 4.0 0.7 0.7 0.040 2.400 0.036 irrigation to bring water content to 0.240 m3
30 0.0065 3.14 4.0 0.7 1 0.057 2.400 0.183
31 0.0065 3.14 4.0 0.7 1 0.057 2.400 0.126
ETo: Reference Evapotranspiration PF: Pan factor S: available Substrate volume
CP: Crown Projection Landscape Coefficient DF: soil moisture deficit adjustment factor WHC: daily available water holding capacity in the
LAI: Leaf Area Index WL: daily Water Loss substrate
Table 5.1
Method to estimate the water needs of container trees
evapotranspiration ETo) for the growing media) and the daily The daily water loss (W) is computed
site of interest available water (W) in the plant using the following equation:
• Pan factor (PF): a coefficient container
for correcting the reference • Soil moisture deficit adjustment Formula 3
evapotranspitation value factor (DF), as transpiration W loss (m3) = CP x LAI x ETo x PF x
(PF=from 0.2 to 0.5) decreases in response to DF
moisture stress CP = Crown projection [m2]
• Available soil volume (S)
LAI = Leaf area index
• Available water-holding capacity • Effective daily rainfall (Re) on the
ETo = Reference evapotranspiration [m]
of substrate (WHC) (correlated surface container, considering
PF = Pan factor
to physical properties of the that the first 2.54 mm of rainfall is
DF = Soil moisture deficit adjustment
trapped by the canopy
factor
66
Applying formula (3), the value of KL = Landscape coefficient These four factors are applied in the
average daily water consumption ETo = Reference evapotranspiration landscape coefficient formula (5) as
for the month of July for European [mm] follows:
beech and Persian ironwood on Bosco
Verticale would be 0.03 - 0.05 m3 per This formula states that the water Formula 5
day (30 - 50 liters per day), assuming: needs of a landscape planting KL = Ks x Kd x Kmc
are calculated by multiplying the KL = Landscape coefficient
CP = 3.4 m2 landscape coefficient (KL) by the Ks = Species factor
LAI = 4 reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Kd = Density factor
Eto = 0.006 m Kmc = Microclimate factor
PF = from 0.5 to 0.7 It is necessary to define the Landscape
DF = from 0.8 to 1.0 coefficient (KL), which replaces the The species factor (Ks) is used to
Crop coefficient (Kc) from formula (1). quantify the water needs of different
This method indicates that the water species. In established landscapes,
autonomy of European beech and The landscape coefficient (KL) has the certain species require relatively
Persian ironwood may vary from four same function as the crop coefficient large amounts of water to maintain
to eight days (related to different PF (Kc), but is not determined in the health and appearance, while others
and DF values, considering different same way. Landscape coefficient are known to need very little water
exposures and the altitude of trees). (Kc) is calculated from three factors: (Figure 5.3).
species, density, and microclimate.
The second proposed procedure for
calculating the irrigation water need
of the Bosco Verticale (Table 5.2) trees
uses the “standard formulas” ((1) and
(2)) implemented with the WUCOLS
method for estimating the irrigation
water needs of landscape plantings
(Costello, 2014).
67
Method to Estimate the Water Needs of Landscape Plantings
July 2014 - European Beech Class 2 - Exposure To East
Day ETo [mm] Estimated KL Calculated ETL [mm] Adjusted ETL [mm] WHC [mm] Irrig. Annotation
68
The species factor (Ks) ranges from
0.1 to 0.9 and is divided into four
categories:
69
The Microclimate factor (Kmc) ranges The landscape evapotranspiration may Through the application of this
from 0.5 to 1.4, and is classified into be calculated to produce an estimate approach, reliable estimates of water
three categories: of the water needs for individual plants needs are obtained, and an irrigation
(as is the case with Bosco Verticale). management program based on
• low 0.5-0.9 The species factor (Ks) is known for these calculations is more highly
• average 1.0 each kind of plant. The Density factor recommended than an irrigation
(Kd) will be equal to 1.0 for trees with management program that provides
• high 1.1-1.4
a height less than 5 meters, while for automated daily irrigations with
larger trees it will be 1.1 to 1.2 meters predetermined amounts of water.
The common features of urban and related to the increase of canopy
landscapes (such as buildings and cover. The microclimate factor (Kmc) Below is an example of the WUCOLS
paving) influence temperature, wind depends on the implantation site. evaluation method applied to the
speed, light intensity, and humidity European beech on Bosco Verticale.
of the environment. These features Although this method is not
vary considerably among landscapes, specifically developed for plant The European beech has a moderate-
causing differences in microclimates. containers, the research team believes to-high water need, i.e. species factor
that it can be used in the situation (Ks=0.6), while its density factor is a
An “average microclimate condition” of the Bosco Verticale for testing high value (Kd=1.3), considering the
occurs when the area is not purposes, and to make appropriate high canopy cover related to the site
substantially affected by nearby adjustments for the specific conditions, of implantation.
buildings, structures, pavements, as the trees are not on the ground, but
slopes, or reflective surfaces. Instead, the containers are quite large.
plantings that are shaded for a
substantial part of the day or are
protected from winds will have a
low microclimate factor value (Kmc).
Plantings surrounded by heat-
absorbing surfaces, reflective surfaces,
or exposed to particularly windy
conditions will have high microclimate
factor (Kmc) values.
70
Regarding the microclimate factor
(Kmc) it is necessary to make some
distinctions. The selected tower has
been divided into three different
classes for the height; class 1 (lower
floors), class 2 (middle floors) and class
3 (higher floors). The tested European
beeches are present in class 1 and class
2. The tested trees are located both on
north and east sides in class 1, while
they are only on the east side in class 2.
In this simulation, European beech and
Persian ironwood may be considered
together, since they have similar water
needs. Monitoring Persian ironwood
provides a basis for assessing class 3.
72
would be appropriate to verify in the EUROPEAN BEECH - JULY
field, with real water consumption
data, the accuracy of the adjustment Needed water = ≈1,55 m 3 + 20%
25 th
factor hypothesized through the floor
calculations of this research.
73
6.0 Overall Conclusions
The research conducted on the Bosco • The nutrition assessment • Both tests demonstrated that
Verticale towers, from July 2013 to was conducted through any environmental stressor,
June 2014, with a suspension during measurement of leaf chlorophyll determined by urban pollution
the winter season, produced the content and leaf nutrient or exposure to harsh sunlight and
following results: content. It was possible to high wind (such as may surround
verify good levels of nutrition a tower in an urban environment),
• The taller species of trees were for the selected trees (although generated negative effects on
monitored to check the overall there were some differences selected trees.
health status of these plants between species, height classes, • The assessment of the tree
and their capacity to adapt to orientations, and seasons) maintenance was conducted
the conditions of a tower in a and, as a whole, a greater root with limited available
metropolis. activity and the mineralization of information. Given that this
• Several measurements were organic matter of the substrate, research was carried out
performed on the 27 selected which are positive indicators of during the construction of the
trees, including field and the proper functioning of the towers (Figure 6.2), and that
laboratory tests, in order to living green system. the maintenance was not yet
obtain comparative data for the • The effects of environmental routinely undertaken, the study
first two years of planting. stressors on the selected trees mainly concerned the calculation
• The success of plantings and were assessed through the of needed water of the Bosco
the measurement of the trees’ measurements of chlorophyll Verticale’s trees.
size showed good and regular fluorescence and leaf heavy- • Two methods for calculating
growth activity (Figure 6.1). metal content. the needed irrigation water
were applied. Both procedures
provided an average daily
value of needed water, during
the warmer season, equal to
approximately 1.4 cubic meters
for each tree, with 20% increased
water requirement for the trees
installed on the top floors,
compared to trees installed on
the lower floors of the tower.
• Additional knowledge about
maintenance, such as the type/
frequency of pruning and the
accessibility of plant containers,
was provided according to
information acquired from the
professionals involved in the
project. Nevertheless, these data
are approximate, and were not
independently verified after
their acquisition at the outset of
Figure 6.1
the project.
View of Tower D from Tower E showing the trees after a period of good growth activity
74
• It’s important to underline that
an optical description of the
vegetation, needed to calculate
the shadows generated by the
trees, was provided starting
from on-site measurements
of Leaf Area Indexes of Bosco
Verticale’s standard trees.
• Lastly, a description of
technologies deployed on
the project was given, on the
basis of direct observations
and information supplied by
designers and professionals
involved in the Bosco Verticale
realization.
Figure 6.2 • This research provides a
The installation process of the trees on the cantilevered balconies (Source: Hines Italia)
description of: the load-
bearing structure; the planting
restraint safety system; and
the envelope; more precisely,
• An evaluation of the energy gain entering the reference the external walls and the
performance of the Bosco floor space, and cooling terraces’ stratigraphy, the plant
Verticale envelope was capacity needed to keep indoor containers’ stratigraphy, some
performed through the conditions comfortable on a characteristics of the vegetation
building energy simulation summer design day) provided and landscape project, and the
software EnergyPlus. useful results for analyzing the trees’ precultivation method.
• The analysis was developed yearly energy performance of • The calculation methodologies
on a reference floor, modeling the Bosco Verticale envelope. applied and developed for
three different configurations of • In the final analyses, the this research, regarding water
façade (the actual configuration, calculation of the yearly energy consumption of trees installed
the unadorned building with consumption for space heating on a tower and the energy
terraces and without trees, and and cooling the reference floor, performance of the living green
the unadorned building without considering seasonal values of envelope, represent a significant
terraces and without trees), the Coefficient of Performance result of the work, since they
for isolating the contribution (SCOP) of the heat pump and are valid and applicable to other
provided solely by vegetation of the Energy Efficiency Ratio contexts, other applications, and
and solely by cantilevered (SEER) of the chiller, highlights other technologies.
terraces. that the presence of terraces
• The output data (solar heat and vegetation decreases the
gains recorded on the reference yearly electricity consumption
floor in winter and in summer; by about 7.5% (12.7 kWh/(m2/y))
space heating/cooling (sensible) with respect to the unadorned
energy needs; hourly solar heat building (13.7 kWh/(m2/y)).
75
7.0 Appendix
Introduction provided by the architect during Fv/Fm: This is a ratio measuring the
research. chlorophyll fluorescence of a leaf. “Fm”
This section provides an inventory of is defined as “maximum fluorescence”
all of the trees sampled for the Bosco For each tree listing, there are several and “Fv” is defined as “variable
Verticale research study. On page 77, parameters tested. fluorescence”. It is the ratio of light
a chart indicates the location of each re-emitted after being absorbed by the
tree diagram, including its scientific Tree Size: The dimensions, including chlorophyll molecules of the leaves.
and common names, its floor, and its trunk diameter, trunk circumference, That light which is not re-emitted is
orientation. height, and crown graft height. converted to chemical energy that
enables photosynthesis. Thus Fv/Fm is
The tree numbering system works as Crown Graft Height: The height on the a measurement of the plant’s “energy
follows: QI.01.V01 trunk where the scion of one plant is efficiency.”
inserted into the trunk of another.
The first two characters represent the LAI: Leaf Area Index: is a dimensionless
scientific name of the tree species, e.g., SPAD: The Soil and Plant Analyzer quantity that characterizes plant
Quercus ilex = QI. Development (SPAD) tool measures the canopies. It is defined as the amount of
level of chlorophyll in the leaf. As there is green leaf coverage per one side of the
The second two characters indicate the a close correlation between the level of leaf, per unit of ground surface area.
floor number where the tree is located. chlorophyll (the SPAD reading) and the
nitrogen content in the leaf, this is a key Transmittance: The fraction of incident
The third set of characters indicates leading indicator of the plant’s health. light at a specified wavelength that
the number assigned to the terrace, passes through the leaf specimen.
The trees are lifted by crane to their proper balcony for installation (Source: Hines Italia)
76
Page Tree Number Tree ID Species Species Floor Orientation
78 1 QI.02.V01 Quercus ilex Holly Oak 02 West
78 2 FG.02.V01 Fagus sylvatica European Beech 02 North
77
QI.02.V01
Quercus ilex
Holly oak
2nd floor
West orientation
Tree number 1
FG.02.V01
Fagus sylvatica
European beech
2nd floor
North orientation
Tree number 2
78
FG.02.V02
Fagus sylvatica
European beech
2nd floor
North orientation
Tree number 3
PR.02.V03
Prunus subhirtella
Higan cherry
2nd floor
North orientation
Tree number 4
79
FG.02.V04
Fagus sylvatica
European beech
2nd floor
East orientation
Tree number 5
QI.02.V09
Quercus ilex
Holly oak
2nd floor
South orientation
Tree number 6
80
PSA.03.V03
Prunus subhirtella autumnalis
Higan cherry
3rd floor
East orientation
Tree number 7
PR.04.V03 (removed)
Prunus subhirtella
Higan cherry
4th floor
North orientation
Tree number 8
81
PSA.04.V04
Prunus subhirtella autumnalis
Higan cherry
4th floor
East/south-east orientation
Tree number 9
QI.04.V05
Quercus ilex
Holly oak
4th floor
South orientation
Tree number 10
82
QI.08.V01
Quercus ilex
Holly oak
8th floor
West orientation
Tree number 11
FG.08.V05
Fagus sylvatica
European beech
8th floor
East orientation
Tree number 12
83
QI.08.V08
Quercus ilex
Holly oak
8th floor
South orientation
Tree number 13
QI.08.V10
Quercus ilex
Holly oak
8th floor
South orientation
Tree number 14
84
PSA.10.V04 (north)
Prunus subhirtella autumnalis
Higan cherry
10th floor
East/south-east orientation
Tree number 15
PSA.10.V04 (south)
Prunus subhirtella autumnalis
Higan cherry
10th floor
South/east orientation
Tree number 16
85
QI.10.V05
Quercus ilex
Holly oak
10th floor
South orientation
Tree number 17
PP.13.V02
Parrotia persica
Persian ironwood
13th floor
North orientation
Tree number 18
86
QI.13.V06
Quercus ilex
Holly oak
13th floor
South orientation
Tree number 19
PP.14.V01
Parrotia persica
Persian ironwood
14th floor
North orientation
Tree number 20
87
CC.14.V02
Corylus colurna
Turkish hazel
14th floor
North orientation
Tree number 21
PP.14.V04
Parrotia persica
Persian ironwood
14th floor
East orientation
Tree number 22
88
QI.14.V07
Quercus ilex
Holly oak
14th floor
South orientation
Tree number 23
QI.14.V09
Quercus ilex
Holly oak
14th floor
South orientation
Tree number 24
89
CC.15.V01
Corylus colurna
Turkish hazel
15th floor
North orientation
Tree number 25
PSA.16.V03
Prunus subhirtella autumnalis
Higan cherry
16th floor
East/south-east orientation
Tree number 26
90
QI.18.V08
Quercus ilex
Holly oak
18th floor
West orientation
Tree number 27
91
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94
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95
PDW Architects Davy Sukamta & Partners Structural Engineers Ronald Lu & Partners
Pei Cobb Freed & Partners DCA Architects Royal HaskoningDHV
Pickard Chilton Architects DCI Engineers Sanni, Ojo & Partners
PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn. Berhad Deerns Schöck United States
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Quadrangle Architects Dong Yang Structural Engineers Shanghai Jiankun Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin dwp|suters Shimizu Corporation
RTKL Associates Elenberg Fraser Silvercup Studios
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96
Cities are facing unprecedented expansion through population growth and
urbanization in the coming decades, and the horizontal-suburban model of
urban development is increasingly being discredited on sustainability grounds.
With less available land to build on, the logical solution is to build upwards.
However, a major human need – access to greenery – must be addressed by
any viable plan for increased height and density.
The Bosco Verticale in Milan, Italy – whose name literally means “Vertical Forest”
– is a stunning example of the potential of deploying substantial greenery at
height. The building was chosen as the subject of a one-year research study,
funded by Arup via the CTBUH International Seed Funding Program, because
of the extensiveness of its implementation. Some 13,000 individual plants
from 90 species cover its many balconies, forming a “second skin” that provides
valuable shade and privacy, and makes a statement about the viability of “green”
architecture in tall buildings in an unprecedented fashion.
This Research Report chronicles the project in five main chapters and includes
dozens of detailed photos, drawings, and diagrams explaining the general urban
plan, design concept, and specifics of the implementation of several different
kinds of restraining and securing systems for the trees, as well as the process
for evaluating the health and effectiveness of the plants as part of the building
envelope. An appendix contains an inventory of the study results for each tree
included in the survey.
This CTBUH Research Report is intended to further the body of research on the
design and operation of tall buildings, with a specific interest in greening the
environment, both at the building and the urban scale. The CTBUH Research
Report series chronicles the research projects undertaken directly by CTBUH
or funded through its initiatives. Each examines strategies for improving the
performance of tall buildings, including reducing their environmental impact,
while taking the industry closer to an appreciation of the myriad factors that
constitute sustainability in the context of tall.
Research Research
Funded by: Undertaken by: