London’s new urban greening structure, „Vert,“ is a project designed as a „garden for insects and people.“ Part of the London Design Festival, the 10-meter structure, located outside the Chelsea College of Arts, demonstrates how natural materials can be used to support biodiversity in urban environments.
Vert addresses typical urban challenges like rising temperatures, heatwaves, and declining biodiversity. Its red oak timber frame supports over 20 species of climbing plants, creating green, sheltered spaces for people. Designer Stefan Diez describes Vert as a “greening machine” that not only invites nature into the city but also enhances urban aesthetics and livability.
A collaboration between Diez Office, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), and urban greening specialists OMCºC, Vert is made of red oak glue-laminated timber (glulam). Despite red oak being abundant in North America, it remains underutilised in Europe. The structure’s triangular timber design suspends biodegradable nets that support plant growth.
The structure can cool surrounding areas by up to 8°C, cast four times more shade than a 20-year-old tree, and produce as much biomass as an 80-year-old lime tree within a single summer. Climbing plants, which grow faster and require less root space than trees, also offer the potential for biochar production and energy generation.
Vert demonstrates how large-scale urban greening can be achieved even on the sealed surfaces of inner cities and will remain in place until the end of October.
Photo: (c) London Design Festival/Petr Krejci
https://www.positive.news/society/londons-new-urban-sustainable-greening-structure/
