NV Tower’s crystal gardens, Sofia, Bulgaria by Landscape Design Studio
Bulgaria / Built in 2021 /
landscapedesignstudio.eu
Rising from the urban core of Sofia, NV Tower reintroduces nature into the heart of the city through a bold vision of vertical ecological living. With over 200 trees and thousands of plants embedded across its facades, terraces and public grounds. The Crystal gardens of NV Tower redefine the relationship between daily urban life and the built environment by creating spaces that enhance both productivity and well-being. For those who work in the building, the presence of greenery at every level offers a refreshing counterpoint to the typical indoor workspace. Access to natural light, fresh air, and green surroundings transforms the work environment into a more inspiring setting. At the ground level, publicly accessible garden, plaza, and seating areas provide moments of pause and interaction for residents, workers, and visitors—blurring the boundaries between work, leisure, and nature.
The biophilic design aims to create strong connections between nature and people, which have a positive impact on health, well-being, productivity, boost creativity, and reduce stress.
In shaping the architectural image of NV Tower, inspiration and symbolism were sought from nature—from the complex geometric forms of natural crystals and the peaks of mountains. The design evokes a strong connection with nature, particularly with nearby Vitosha Mountain and express a broader aspiration to reconnect urban life with natural landscapes.
Natural crystals are complex structures, captivating with their sharp geometric forms, compositional completeness, and intricate patterns. Mountain peaks with their alpine profiles impress with their upward thrust toward the sky, dynamic shapes, steep slopes, and ridges. These core characteristics are subtly embedded in the architecture of the building and further developed in the landscape design of the rooftop gardens and open spaces around it.
Vegetative volumes are integrated into the building’s appearance in the form of intensive green roofs located on every floor, creating the sensation of “green lava” gently falling from the top of the tower to the landscaped areas surrounding it. The building transforms into a kind of vertical park.
Plant species and their vertical placement were selected with great precision, considering the orientation and height of terraces, as well as wind tunnel testing. Evergreen trees form the structural spine of the vegetation, ensuring visual continuity and functional wind buffering year-round. Deciduous species were chosen for their seasonal dynamics, with expressive foliage, texture, and form that evolve through the seasons. Shrubs, grasses, and perennials echo the visual language of crystals through carefully curated color palettes and structural variation, forming unique “crystal gardens” at each level. The planting strategy not only provides beauty but actively supports biodiversity, offering habitat and forage for urban fauna including birds, butterflies, and bees.
To support this vibrant vertical landscape, specially engineered planters were developed—deep and capacious enough to accommodate trees and large shrubs. Their irregular, crystal-like shapes enhance both aesthetic expression and structural integration. Lightweight metal substructures and cladding minimize load while achieving visual refinement. Each planter is equipped with a root-resistant waterproofing system, thermal insulation, and fully automated irrigation infrastructure embedded into the terrace floors – ensuring resilience and long-term plant vitality.
Beyond the building structure, the landscape extends into the public realm. Recognizing that green roofs alone cannot substitute for the social and climatic value of public green space, the project includes a richly planted garden surrounding the tower. Designed as an outdoor exhibition of rocks and minerals—referencing the project’s identity, this garden is publicly accessible. The composition of these exterior spaces carefully balances form and function, creating a smooth transition between the architecture and its environment. Cascading greenery flows across vertical and horizontal surfaces, softening the building’s form and blending it seamlessly into the natural contours of the landscape. The walkway layout in the garden is intuitive and simple, designed to link surrounding urban elements while supporting key pedestrian flows. At the main plaza, a dry fountain adds a playful and refreshing element.
The Crystal Gardens of NV Tower represent a forward-thinking approach to urban density that preserves and enhances the ecological value of green areas in cities. Integrating intensive planting, biophilic design, and public green space. Serving as both a vertical garden and a shared urban asset, NV Tower embodies the integration of architecture and landscape, revealing how urban development can coexist with and support the natural environment.
• Other landscape architecture offices involved in the design of the landscape:
Landscape Design Studio
• Architecture offices involved in the design:
А&A Architects
• Other credits:
Photography – Assen Emilov
