gwf International by DIV Munich/Germany, issue S1/2013
A great climate thanks to vertical forest

Designing building services according to what plants need. This is what is done in the greenhouses of every botanical garden. The plants are on the inside, protected by the building. But using the opportunities provided by the plant world first and considering the building services as a nice addition second has now been accomplished with as yet unprecedented consistency, at least with regard to skyscrapers. Here the plants are on the outside protecting the building and its residents – even up on the 20th floor. We're talking about two residential buildings one 80, the other 112 metres high and the greenery covering the buildings' facades makes up an area equivalent to a hectare of forest. This vertical forest (Bosco Verticale) is supplied with process water.

TRADE JOURNALIST

The sun has never sent us a bill – is the title of a book by Franz Alt. We can also apply this motto to clouds: they never send us any bills for the rainwater they produce. I am fascinated by water and energy, especially when construction techniques put them at the disposal of our surroundings and our architecture.

Seminars and talks

Water and energy are too precious to be used only once. In my contact with students and specialists, I promote the rules of technology for the runoff and evaporation of rainwater as well as for rainwater and greywater harvesting. It’s also all about the synergy effects of energy and architecture.

Expert

There are very different targets and rules to be observed when using and managing rainwater. This, compounded with the way functions are divided among the various trades at the building site, can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. That is when my expertise is called for, to provide information and seek reconciliation.

VOLUNTARY activities

Participation as moderator and speaker at many international conferences around the globe, my experience as an architect realising my own projects and a respectful treatment of our environment’s resources us are the things that inspire me to also work in a voluntary capacity.

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