Stefano Boeri Architetti to design first Dutch “vertical forest” tower in Utrecht

Best known for designing vertical urban-forest towers, Stefano Boeri Architetti had the winning design to create another one in the Jaarbeursboulevard area of Utrecht. The Hawthorn Tower project will comprise two high-rise buildings, with one tower designed Stefano Boeri Architetti and the other by Amsterdam-based studio MVSA.

Stefano Boeri's tower will be 90 meters tall and boast a facade of 10,000 plants of different species — 360 trees and 9,640 of shrubs and flowers, according to the firm. They add that the tower will be able to absorb more than 5.4 tons of carbon dioxide once it's built. The Hawthorn Tower will be “a real urban ecosystem, hosting over 30 different vegetal species,” the firm describes. 

“On the ground floor, directly connected to the roof garden on the sixth floor, the Tower will host the Vertical Forest Hub, a research centre on urban forestation worldwide.” 

The Hub will be an open public space where visitors can learn about the technical and botanic solutions chosen for the Hawthorn Tower, in addition to following the progress of other Vertical Forests under construction in the world. 

The tower is designed as a “smart building that is dialog with the surrounding city. Its height and set back follows and enhances the dimensions of the plot between Croeselaan and Jaarbeursboulevard”, Stefano Boeri Architetti writes. The building will also include office spaces, fitness and yoga area, bicycle parking spots, and a public leisure space to promote balanced, healthier living.

Construction is currently scheduled to begin in 2019. If all goes smoothly, the tower will be completed in 2022.

Find more project images in the gallery below.