THE URBAN FOREST

The concept for the building stems from its location in an area that could become a green spine, connecting Southbank Parklands with Musgrave Park.

“The design provides a site-responsive built form, taking into account the location, proximity to the parks and open space, building from a strong connection to the landscaping and green space,” state the architects. “In designing the world’s greenest residential building, we have the opportunity, and the obligation, to deliver homes imbued with a strong sense of integrated ecology across the seasons.”

‘The Urban Forest’ will feature 382 apartments, two levels of compulsion rooftop space that includes recreation and amenities, ground floor retail and a 1350 square metre public park. The tower will be coated in planters and hanging plants that offer protection from the sun. They also aim to limit maintenance costs and maximise the environmental benefits.

Glazed windows that can be operated, balconies and floating greenery will capture the north-easterly breezes and will reduce the need for air conditioning.

A series of ‘tree trunks’ at the base of the tower will support the building, alluding to the concept of the building as a “forest growing out of the ground”. Working alongside Koichi Takada are Australian landscape architect firms Lat27 and Arno King Landscape Architects. 

Most of the ground floor will be communal open space with seating, water features and lighting, open to the public 24/7.

“Utilising the environments found at Mt Coot-tha, this project will seek to provide environmental benefits, health benefits and mimic the mountain,” the design report states. “A focus on plant selection, species that could find habitat and retelling the story of Mt Coot-tha will be a guiding principle on this project.”

Developer Aria states the project will be the “greenest residential building in the world” and that the "building is in itself a piece of public art on the largest scale possible [that] will become an attraction for Brisbane”.

Aria development manager Michael Hurley said, “In time we want Brisbane to be mentioned in the same breath as Singapore as a global leader in green buildings and sustainability.”

Architect Koichi Takada said the practice was promoting cities to inspire the next generation to help create mass greening for a sustainable and greener future. “The Urban Forest is a vertical park that features five times the trees found in nearby Musgrave Park and a Green Plot Ratio at 292 percent of the site area in gardens; equivalent to taking over 150 cars off the road each year,” Takada said.

“It is important to bring such a building to Brisbane at this time, as unlike more populated cities, Brisbane still offers abundant opportunity to define and shift the city to a more natural and humanised approach. The result is the greenest residential building with generous backyards in the sky and offers a healthier way to live.”

The Urban Forest residential tower planting will include a variety of tree species that would flower in different seasons.

The ground level park will also feature a number of trees along with a stage, outdoor classrooms, amphitheatre and event space.

The site will be located at 88 Merivale Street, South Brisbane.

Lat27 and Arno King Landscape Architects alongside Koichi Takada for our noticeably considerable role as Landscape Architects in this project. 

Images by Koichi Takada Architects