Integration of architecture and vegetation –

a review of tendencies and perspectives

dr hab. inż. arch.
MICHAŁ STANGEL
Politechnika Śląska

57 BUILDER SCIENCE I INTEGRACJA ARCHITEKTURY I ROŚLINNOŚC

Wydział Architektury
ORCID: 0000-0001-8728-2888

The article is a review of the emerging trend of integrating buildings with vegetation.
The overview of contemporary practice and conceptual design shows an evolution
from iconic manifestos, to mainstream elements of present-day architectural design,
reasoned by climatic changes.

Introduction
Integration of architecture with vegetation
have become a noticeable trend in contem-
porary architecture, with vegetation on roofs,
terraces, facades and balconies, as well as
in the interiors. Early examples of precursor
green roofs have emerged in 1930s, from
green parts of the roofs, to iconic construc-
tions acting as artificial, green mountains,
such as the prefectural building in Fukuoka
(E. Ambasz, 1995) [1, 2]. As for Poland, some
of the precursors include: University of War-
saw Library with a roof garden (M. Budzyński,
1999), the headquarters of the Foundation

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for Polish Science in Warsaw with a facade-
vertical garden (FAAB, 2014) or the Interna-
tional Congress Centre in Katowice covered
partially with a green lawn (JEMS Architekci,
2015). Radical integration of greenery has
evolved from unique, aesthetic and biophilic
experiments [3] in prestigious investments,
Fig. 1. Fukuoka Prefecture building, E. Ambasz, 1995. Fot. (cc) K. Mabuchi
to a pervasive element of mainstream archi-
tecture, important in the context of climate
challenges and sustainable development [4,
5], and multiplied from individual buildings to
urban design strategies, as part of adaptation
to climate change.

Purpose of the work, research

methods and source materials
The main aim of this article is a review of
the observed trend of combining architecture
with vegetation, and a preliminary identifica-
tion of spatial solutions, methods and chal-
lenges of this trends. The author was inspired
to take up the topic from observing prevailing
occurrences of "architecture dripping with
vegetation" in professional media, as well as
in the opinion-forming daily and information
press, presenting new architectural propos-
als, and generally dominated by a positive
tone, presenting the abundance of vegeta-
tion in the context of climatic challenges. The Fig. 2. Changi Airport, Safdie Architects, 2019. Fot. (cc) M. Morando
58 BUILDER SCIENCE I INTEGRACJA ARCHITEKTURY I ROŚLINNOŚC

Fig. 3. Bosco Verticale in Milan, Boeri Studio, Fig. 4. Sky Garden, 20 Fenchurch Street. London. R. Viñoly, 2009. Fot. M. Stangel
2014. Fot. M. Stangel

basic research method used in this publi-

cation is desk research. The source of the
processed information are not only scientific
publications devoted to the issue, but also
publications in the information press and in
the Internet, presenting architectural solutions
of the two decades of the 21st century. The
second part of the article also discusses two
authors urban design concepts, where possi-
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ble integration of architecture and vegetation

was included, within the research by design
method.

From iconic design to

mainstreaming and climatic
efficiency
At present, the phenomenon of integration
architecture with greenery can be observed
worldwide. Its origins and some of the most
spectacular examples can be found in Sin-
gapore, in buildings such as as Parkroyal on
Pickering (2013), a hotel with 15 thousand
square meters of layered green space; or
Oasia Hotel (2016) overgrown with greenery.
Such solutions were promoted by the Green
Building Masterplan, whose successive edi-
tions include green design guidelines, as well
as a subsidies for developers. Singapore's
latest green showcase is Jewel Changi Air-
Fig. 5. Mehr Als Wohnen, Zurich, Futurafrosch and Duplex, 2015. Fot. A. Twardoch
port (Safdie Architects, 2019) with a forest
valley, cascading waterfalls and a funnel-like for new green solutions: reinforced concrete experience" is adapted for dozens locations
glass roof, collecting water to irrigate plants. balconies with a reach of over three meters, around the world; including two forest cities:
In Europe, one of the most iconic example on which over 16.5 thousand plants were Shijiazhuang in China (2015) and Cancun in
is Bosco Verticale in Milan (Boeri Studio, planted in pots made of the same material, Mexico (2019).
2014) – a complex of two residential towers including 730 trees, 3 to 6 m high. Having In harsher climates, another trend to inte-
covered with a "vertical forest". Realized in proven the possibility and spectacular effect, grate vegetation and buildings are covered
one of the most polluted cities in Europe, it Boeri's studio has set up the Vertical Forest- greenhouses on top floors – such as the
is a manifesto of the technical possibilities ING initiative, in which the "Bosco Verticale Sky Garden in the skyscraper 20 Fenchurch
 Street in London. While the building itself,
dubbed "walkie-talkie", has been widely criti-
cized, the publicly accessible covered garden
of on the top floor provides undoubtedly
pleasant experiences and is a popular visit-
ing place for relaxing, dining and viewing
the skyline of London. Another upcoming
green landmark of the British capital will
soon be the eleven-story Citicape House
(Sheppard Robson, 2019) with a hotel, offices
and restaurants located behind what is to be
Europe's largest green wall (400 sqm), which,

59 BUILDER SCIENCE I INTEGRACJA ARCHITEKTURY I ROŚLINNOŚC

according to the investors shall absorb eight
tons of pollution per year.
While most of the acclaimed examples
are expensive, prestigious projects, there
are several solutions which result in a similar
green façade effect, but are much less costly
to implement. The Zurich-based housing
cooperative Mehr Als Wohnen (Futurafrosch
and Duplex Architekten, 2015) is a complex
Fig. 6. Housing covered in vegetation, Aspern Seestadt, Vienna. Fot. M. Stangel of thirteen buildings with 380 apartments,
embodying the vision of an ultra-sustainable
urban living and working space and the
Swiss energy-efficient concept of a 2000-watt
society [6]. The use of climbing plants on the
facade creates a visual effect and comfort
similar to Bosco Verticale, achieved in a much
cheaper and simpler way. The impression
of green wall consists of small plants, kept
by the inhabitants, with an added value of
a communal venture.
Similarly, several cheaper solutions can
be found among the realizations of Vietnam-
ese Vo Trong Nghia Architects studio. One
of the most recent is the first phase of the

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new FPT University campus in Ho Chi Minh
(formerly Saigon). The chequered façade
features recesses with pots in which trees
have been planted. Green terraces are also
located on the stepped part of the building.
In addition to these visible "green elements",
Fig. 7. Model of the FPT University building in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Trong Nghia Architects, many energy-saving solutions have also
2019. Fot. M. Stangel been applied here.
The integration of buildings and vegetation
has been a growing trend in Polish architec-
ture, noticeable in several recent conceptual
designs and visualizations, in different styles
and varieties. From small objects, such as
green bus stops in Białystok, to buildings,
such as the shopping center Tarasy Zamkowe
in Lublin with a green roof (Stelmach and
Partners, 2015). Green walls have increas-
ingly appeared in office interiors and facades.
Efforts are underway to provide systemic sup-
port for climate change adaptation plans in
cities and to adapt international experiences
to Poland. The adaptation of the former TVP
Szczecin skyscraper to a multi-functional
green tower (Projektownia, 2018), features
terraces with prefabricated concrete pots with
automatic watering system. The vegetation
was adapted to our climatic zone, using both
evergreen forms, as well as plants that shall
Fig. 8. Double-layered green facade by Terreform One. Fot. M. Stangel introduce color in spring and autumn.
 A new field
for design innovation
Ways of integrating greenery into build-
ings are one of the hotbeds of architectural
innovation. New systems are being devel-
oped for supporting large plants on facades
or vertical gardens, irrigation and plant nutri-
tion. Technological search for air purifica-
tion resulted in expanding urban greenery
beyond traditional plants – such as in the
City Tree by Green City Solutions – a com-
bination of a seat with a 4-meter high moss
60 BUILDER SCIENCE I INTEGRACJA ARCHITEKTURY I ROŚLINNOŚC

screen, equipped with sensors controlling

the moss colony, irrigation system and solar
panels. Synergy of new technologies, archi-
tecture, horticulture and landscaping results
in ideas, such as New York's Lowline, the
first underground park, realized in a disused
trolleybus depot. Futuristic visions and con- Fig. 9. Piła Green Hills neighborhood competition, 2022. 3rd award entry, M. Stangel,
cepts of biophilic architecture are more and P. M. Gałuszka, P. Prychodko
more often awarded in various, more or less
idealistic, competitions. The XTU architects
studio presented the winning design for
a skyscraper in Paris, proposing an active
biofacade with colonies of microalgae for
medical research. In 2019, the Carlo Ratti
Associati office won the Reinventing Cities
competition, with its Vitae project: an office
building with a medical research center,
a restaurant, and a 200-meter-long vineyard
and farm open to the public.
Mitchell Joachim of Terrform One has pro-
posed numerous bionic visions, such as the
FabTreeHouse, built from living plants. Most
recently, he created a sanctuary for Monarch
butterflies. The eight-story double-layered
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façade of a new office building in New York

City is to include a porous layer of microcli-
mate, texture, and specially selected vegeta- Fig. 10. Poznan Roosevelta uyrban design competition, 2022. Finalist project by M. Stangel,
tion that will become an oasis and sanctuary P. Nowak, Z. Zalejska
for the endangered species. Robert Koniec-
zny combines greenery and architecture in
another way. In the experimental Living Gar-
den House in Kassel, the floor shall be a liv-
ing, natural lawn, maintained by appropriate
electronic systems, smoothly transforming
into a garden.

Summary and conclusions

The preliminary overview of new tenden-
cies in combining architecture and vegeta-
tion demonstrated, that integrating buildings
with vegetation in architectural design is
a noticeable, growing and mainstreaming
trend in contemporary architecture. Such
solutions have many benefits: from aesthet-
ics, prestige, through functionality and human
comfort, to the increasingly current adapta-
tion of cities to climate change, through air Fig. 11. Artificial grass in public space, Kings Cross, London. Fot. M. Stangel
purification, reduction of urban heat islands,
water retention, etc. Green Hills neighborhood, elaborated with The competition finalist project for a site
Two recent examples of competition pro- Michał Gałuszka and Patryk Prychodko, pro- in Poznań, elaborated with Patryk Nowak
jects by authors teams show the exam- posed a compact urban neighborhood with and Zuzanna Zalejska, proposed a terraced
ple of integrating vegetation on buildings in a green park, as well as green roofs, clinging structure with green roofs, green facades
urban design proposals. The proposal for Piła plant on facades and community gardens. and a green, sloping ramp serving as rec-
 61 BUILDER SCIENCE I INTEGRACJA ARCHITEKTURY I ROŚLINNOŚC
Fig. 12. Graphics of greenery on a construction site fence, London. Fot. M. Stangel

reational space and viewing point; as well • Some experiences show, that the use of Abstract: The article is a review of the emerg-
as a greenhouse on the top floor. This two climbing plants on the facade may be an ing trend of integrating buildings with vegeta-
authors proposals exemplify a growing trend efficient way to create visual effect and tion. The overview of contemporary practice
of mainstreaming the integration of vegetation comfort, in a cheaper and simpler way; and conceptual design shows an evolution
and architecture in contemporary conceptual • Emerging technical innovations under- from iconic manifestos, to mainstream ele-
design. way provide new opportunities for inte- ments of present-day architectural design,
It is worth mentioning, that the trend grating and maintaining plants in the built reasoned by climatic changes. The examina-
for greenery in architecture can also have environment; tion of representative cases show a growing
a rather non-ecological face. Sometimes the • Some examples of artificial greenery in interest in several forms of integrating build-
maintenance of plants requires increased the built environment are clearly an issue ings with vegetation, incorporated into build-
water consumption, and the setting of pots of fake green image, with no ecological ings roofs, terraces, balconies and facades.
requires additional considerable construc- benefits. The conclusions highlight prospective oppor-

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tional outlays. It is debatable to what extent Generally, it seams that the integration of tunities in form, function, construction and
trees growing in soil substitutes, artificially vegetation and architecture is an important sustainability of contemporary architecture;
watered and nourished, are still natural. While and promising trend, in an experimentation but also notice some threads of prioritizing
praising green solutions, one should not phase, which requires further studies and green image over ecological aspects.
forget that plants as a shelter for insects or evaluation, mainstreaming the best practices Keywords: biophilia, vegetation, green archi-
rodents create some nuisance for people. and experiences in accordance to local con- tecture, green wall, green roof
Finally, fake green image such as artificial ditions and needs.
grass in public space or images of green- Streszczenie: INTEGRACJA ARCHITEK-
ery on fences, while exemplify the fashion References TURY I ROŚLINNOŚCI – PRZEGLĄD TEN-
[1] Lambertini, A. et al.: Vertical gardens. Verba Volant 2007.
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[2] Abass F., L. H. Ismail, I. A. Wahab, A. A. Elgadi: A Review of
esthetics. Green Roof: Definition, History, Evolution and Functions, [in:] glądowy na temat współczesnego trendu
The preliminary review of tendencies in IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 713, 2020. integracji budynków z roślinnością, opisuje
[3] Wilson, E.: Biophilia. Harvard University Press, 1984.
integrating vegetation in recent architectural [4] Yudina, A.: Garden City – Super green buildings, urban sky- ewolucję od ikonicznych manifestów, do
projects leads to the following conclusions: scapes and the new planted space, Thames and Hudson 2017. głównego nurtu współczesnego projekto-
[5] Nieto, F., M. Antonia: Plant Architecture: Estrategias materi-
• Integration of vegetation within build- ales, Ediciones Asimetricas 2018.
-wania architektonicznego, w kontekście
ings has became wide spread in recent [6] Hugentobler, M., A. Hofer, P. Simmendinger: Mehr als Woh- zmian klimatycznych. Przegląd przypad-
nen: Genossenschaftlich planen – Ein Modellfall aus Zürich,
projects, becoming a mainstream archi- ków wskazuje na rosnące zainteresowanie
Birkhäuser 2015
tectural feature; [7] Scheuermann R., M. Pauli, A. Law, T. Armor: Cities Alive – rozmaitymi formami integracji budynków
• E xtensive and intensive green roofs Green Building Envelope. Arup, Berlin 2016. z roślinnością, jak zielone dachy, fasady,
[8] Stangel, M.: Zielone maszyny przyszłości. Architektura-
as well as plant pots integrated within Murator nr 2/2020. donice na balkonach, tarasach i elewacjach
the construction seam a well reasoned czy pnącza. We wnioskach podkreślono
solution; możliwości innowacji w zakresie formy, funk-
DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0015.8822
• Containers for trees and large plants are cji i konstrukcji współczesnej architektury;
PRAWIDŁOWY SPOSÓB CYTOWANIA
more complicated solutions for prestig- Stangel Michał, 2022, Integration of archi- zauważono też pewne zagrożenia, gdy zie-
ious buildings, and their sustainable rea- tecture and vegetation – a review of tenden- lony wizerunek przedkłada się nad aspekty
soning shall be further assessed taking cies and perspectives, „Builder” 7 (300). ekologiczne.
into consideration extensive construc- DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0015.8822 Słowa kluczowe: biofilia, roślinność, zielona
tion requirements, costs, maintenance architektura, zielona ściana, zielony dach
requirements etc.;