RESIDENTS OF UTRECHT LIVE AND WORK HEALTHILY IN WONDERWOODS

The City of Utrecht prioritizes health and sustainability, transforming from car-centric to pedestrian and cyclist friendly. The municipality designated a “Healthy Urban Quarter” between the Central Station and Jaarbeurs, where they challenged the market to design a visionary plan for an iconic building that embraces this ambition of health and sustainability. From 20 submissions, four consortia advanced; in May 2017, Wonderwoods by G&S Vastgoed and KondorWessels Projecten won. The design team: Stefano Boeri (Italy), MVSA Architects (Netherlands) and Arcadis Landscape Architecture.

The scheme features two towers, each with a distinct green concept, in which flourishing biodiversity is key:
• Boeri’s tower: a “vertical forest” with trees and shrubs on the façade, forming an iconic, subdued architectural presence near Jaarbeursplein.
• MVSA’s tower: greenery predominantly inside, with rooftop gardens and atriums visible through glass façades, creating an extroverted green experience.
A main route across the towers forms an elevated park on levels 6 and 7, with accessible pathways and variations in orientation and views.
The stepped volumes provide space for large, lush gardens and potential community programs, accessible to employees, residents, and visitors. Gardens invite activities like lunch, yoga, and socializing, enhancing the urban well-being of occupants and fauna.

Growing mature trees on buildings required close collaboration between landscape architects, architects, and contractors to ensure space and light. Early involvement of installation and maintenance teams was key. The gardens are designed for active use and ecological value, with bird nests observed pre-completion and insect diversity surprising ecologists.

Greens and paving are integrated into architecture, aiming for a woodland atmosphere that includes elements of the City’s nearby natural area called Utrechtse Heuvelrug. Paving extends into the forest, and the forest merges with paving. Rolling landscapes directionally carve through stone paths with meandering edges, creating a seamless flow.

Rainwater is captured for cooling, irrigation, and groundwater recharge. Retention boxes on rooftops, capillary cones, and regulated drains manage water; excess drains overflow to lower areas. All collected water supports vegetation, with future exploration of additional sources.

Outdoor trees and plants are tended by flying gardeners via abseiling, by cherry pickers (up to 25m) and lifts (above 25 m). Green waste is composted on-site; non-compostable waste is processed at a nearby biomass facility.

Greenery reduces rainwater runoff, cools, purifies air, and enhances well-being. Green roofs slow and retain rainwater, buffering peak discharge. Water not retained is stored in basement tanks for reuse, including irrigation. The greenery – trees, shrubs, and low vegetation – uses approximately 6 million liters of water annually. Over 50% of rooftops are green, with soil depths up to 1 m and a 30 cm top layer.

Large stepping-stone tiles of recycled concrete in varied sizes and colors, laid in random patterns; some act as seating. Galvanized grilles allow greenery to grow beneath seating. FSC wood decks (Accoya) align with each tower’s materiality.

About 80% of the planting design are established species, 20% experimental. Criteria include wind/temperature resilience, frost resistance, sunlight tolerance, low water needs, maintenance, and seasonal interest. The planting offers seasonal highlights: lush greens in summer, yellow-orange autumn foliage, evergreen winter ground cover, and spring blooms.

A GREEN REVOLUTION FOR URBAN WELLNESS

Wonderwoods creates a healthy urban microclimate, absorbing pollutants, improving air quality, damping noise, and reducing energy use through shade and cooling. It sets a standard for sustainable urban living, inspiring future developments in Utrecht and beyond.

CREDITS
Client: G&S; Architects: Stefano Boeri Architetti, MVSA; Partners: Koninklijke Ginkel Groep, Van Den Berk Boomkwekerij, Jacqueline van der Kloet

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