Wonderwoods: a unique and innovative tower in the heart of Utrecht that combines urban living with nature. With a vertical forest of 360 trees and nearly 10,000 plants, this will be the green eye-catcher of Utrecht. Not only is the vertical city forest beautiful to look at; the trees and plants together annually absorb 5,400 kg of CO2 and release over 41,400 kg of oxygen in return.
Image source: Wonderwoods
Wonderwoods: harmony between city and nature
The Wonderwoods building consists of two green towers, 105 and 73 meters high. The project was designed by Stefano Boeri Architetti, known for the green tower ‘Bosco Verticale‘ in Milan, and MVSA Architects. The goal of the Wonderwoods project is to create an advanced harmony between urban life and nature.
Healthy Urban Quarter
On the ground floor, connected to a garden on the sixth floor, there is a ‘Vertical Forest Hub’: a center focused on documentation and research on urban afforestation worldwide. The project is part of the new ‘Healthy Urban Quarter’ in Utrecht – an area of 50,000 to 70,000 m2 designated for living, working, and offering cultural activities. In addition to apartments and office spaces, Wonderwoods also features fitness and yoga rooms, bicycle storage, and public recreational areas.
Flourishing biodiversity
The towers are enriched with 360 trees and 9,640 bushes and flowers. No less than 30 different tree and plant species adorn the towers of Wonderwoods. Both coniferous and deciduous trees, including high-trunk trees and multi-stem trees, were chosen for the planting. The city forest totals one hectare of lush forest vegetation. Due to the wide range of tree and plant species growing in Wonderwoods, biodiversity flourishes, and the urban ecosystem is strengthened.
Root ball anchoring for tree stability
Planting trees on towering buildings presents a challenge, as they are exposed to strong winds at such heights. To provide the necessary stability for the trees, GreenMax’s innovative root ball anchoring has been used. This system ensures that the root ball is held firmly in place by sturdy straps, keeping the tree stable even in strong winds. The root ball anchoring is seamlessly integrated into the containers and covered with a layer of high-quality tree substrate, making it invisible to the naked eye.
Maintenance of the trees
In a vertical forest, maintaining the trees is an adventurous and unique task. Abseiling gardeners, specialized in working at height, play a crucial role in maintaining these green towers. The towers are equipped with hooks at multiple points where the gardeners can attach their climbing equipment. This way, the gardeners descend the building to care for the trees and plants and keep them in optimal condition. As a result, the vertical forest remains healthy and attractive.
Trudo Tower
GreenMax’s root ball anchoring has already proven itself in a similar project: the Trudo Tower in Eindhoven. This tower in the trendy and creative city district of Strijp-S is 70 meters high, making it necessary to ensure the stability of the trees in this project as well. So far, various wind speeds have already rushed past the Trudo Tower, and the trees still stand perfectly straight.
The first trees in Wonderwoods
On Monday, April 24, 2023, the first trees in Wonderwoods were planted. The construction of Wonderwoods is expected to be completed by mid-2024. We can’t wait for this stunning building to be in full bloom!
