Architect Luciano Pia sought the light of nature, inspired by the concept of a spatial entrance that unites the outside and inside. The goal of the design was sustainability, and Pia thought that using real plants weaved with dried wood to create a Gothic and forest-like ambiance was the best way to demonstrate this. Located on a street in Torino, Italy, 25 Green is an urban treehouse that clearly aims to subvert the conventional arrangement of residential buildings.
The building’s structure is inspired by the strength of trees and how they literally hold everything in the world together. The architect was led to design a steel structure with columns shaped like tree trunks. 63 residential units are thrown into a forest of some kind. Occasionally, the dry timber walls cut the flow of the green foliage. The whole mix is a strong message that nature can indeed coexist with industry.
All the residential homes in the project have irregularly designed terraces either overlooking the town beyond or the inner courtyard, which has 50 trees planted in it. A total of 150 trees are spread out on various terraces inside randomly sized pots. The trees depict a living building that produces oxygen, absorbs carbon dioxide, reduces air pollution, and cuts down on noise from the streets.
In an attempt to promote sustainability, it is anticipated that the structure will have its own microclimate as the trees reach full maturity in the upcoming years. Residents will feel as though they are living in a treehouse in the forest thanks to mature trees.
Other sustainable elements are incorporated into the project, such as the use of heat pumps to capture geothermal energy and collect rainfall. The plants will be irrigated by the rains. Entering the building from the street level is like entering a forest, where tree-trunk-like columns usher in a change from a man-made setting.
Discover another architectural gem, the Undulating Harbin Opera House by MAD Architects, an industrial and commercial center in China.
Project Information
Architects:
Luciano Pia
Location:
Torino, Italy
Area: 7,500 sq.m
Photography: Beppe Giardino
