Wonderwoods - Utrecht

Two green towers are to rise in the heart of Utrecht in 2021-2023. Wonderwoods, located right next to the central station, will be the new green oasis in the city with trees and other vegetation in the leading role. This project is the answer devised by project developer G&S Vastgoed to the current urban planning challenges and the changing climate. Wonderwoods will make a contribution to greening and biodiversity in the city. While Stefano Boeri's 'Bosco Verticale' in Milan inspired the concept, Wonderwoods is essentially different in that it consists of two buildings, each with its own identity.

Tower I is designed by Roberto Meyer of the Dutch firm MVSA Architects. The tower will be about 70 metres high and will have an abundance of greenery on the inside, extending outdoors into the rooftop park. It will exude an atmosphere of conservatories and greenhouses, with winter gardens and naturally lit atriums behind glass.
Stefano Boeri designed Tower II, which will be around 100 metres in height. Just like his tower in Milan, it will have plenty of trees, bushes and perennial plants on the outside. A total of 360 trees and 9,640 shrubs and flowering plants will be planted, which is comparable to about one hectare of forest.

Thieu

Pije

Thieu@vdberk.nl

+31 (0)413 480 485

+31 (0)6 5317 8265

Arcadis Landscape Architecture is responsible for designing the rooftop park and they involved Van den Berk Nurseries in the project at an early stage. A joint selection was made of a strong, very diverse range of clear stem and multi-stem trees, inspired by the planting in the Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park. This connects Wonderwoods to the nature surrounding the city and optimally supports biodiversity.

The range includes many flowering species including Amelanchier, Sorbus, Crataegus, Prunus and Cornus. The yellow cornel flowers very early in the year and heralds the arrival of spring. This is a valuable species for bees on their first flight. The other species bloom in the following months, providing a constant supply for insects as well as an interesting and varied view. The selection includes a pine that is a direct link to the woods on the east side of Utrecht, as well as being a beautiful evergreen element. The hawthorn, rowan and currant-tree provide berries in the autumn that are very popular with birds. Various tree and shrub species will also produce beautiful colours in the autumn, before the leaves fall. As a result, the appearance of Wonderwoods will change all year round. The towers will become living buildings that attract other life as well, which is what makes this project so special.

Picture: Vero Digital