Bosco Verticale in Milan: The transformative power of vertical gardens

Román Hernández
Apr 24
3 min read

Updated: May 23

Amidst the concrete, traffic, and fast pace of major European cities, a new trend is literally climbing the walls — vertical gardens. This form of green architecture beautifies cities and radically transforms how we interact with the urban environment. Far from being a passing fad, vertical gardens offer a creative and sustainability-minded response to global warming, pollution, and growing urban density.

Cities like London, Paris, Madrid, and Copenhagen already boast remarkable examples of this trend. The Athenaeum Hotel in London features an eight-story vertical forest designed by French botanist Patrick Blanc. In Madrid, the CaixaForum wall garden has become a local landmark and reference in urban design. But one project in Milan has truly captured global attention for its scale and ambition: Bosco Verticale, or Vertical Forest.

A Forest in the Sky

Designed by architect Stefano Boeri, Bosco Verticale is a residential complex consisting of two towers—116 and 84 meters tall—located in the innovative Porta Nuova district. Their sleek design and living facade set these towers apart: more than 21,000 plants, including 800 trees, 4,500 shrubs, and 15,000 perennials, completely cover the outer structure.

This impressive greenery equals about 20,000 square meters of forest, condensed into just 3,000 m² of urban space. It’s a true vertical ecosystem where design, ecology, and city living coexist in perfect harmony.

More Than Just a Pretty Sight

Bosco Verticale’s vegetation goes far beyond aesthetics. As pointed out by Stefano Boeri Architetti on their website, these towers can absorb up to 19 tons of CO₂ annually, significantly improving the surrounding air quality. The trees and plants also provide natural insulation and soundproofing, resulting in energy savings and greater comfort for residents.

Another key benefit is the boost in urban biodiversity: the towers are home to various birds, butterflies, and insects, creating a micro-habitat rarely found in densely populated areas.

Photo credit: Pexels

What It’s Like to Live in a Vertical Forest

Living in Bosco Verticale is not just a visual experience — it’s an emotional one. Residents enjoy private green terraces, direct contact with nature, natural shade, and a more temperate microclimate than other urban buildings.

Since its opening in 2014, Bosco Verticale has become a symbol of modernity and ecological awareness in Milan. It has also received multiple awards, including the International Highrise Award and the title of “Best Tall Building in the World” by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in 2015.

Fun Facts You Might Not Know

Each tower has a team of specialized gardeners who rappel down the facades to maintain the plants.
Botanists carefully selected every tree and plant to suit the wind, sun, and weather exposure of each side of the buildings.
The project is now studied at various European universities as a replicable model of sustainable architecture.

More Than a Building, a Statement

Bosco Verticale proves that architecture and design can enhance city life without sacrificing sustainability. It’s also a call to rethink how we build our cities — inspiring architects, designers, and institutions worldwide.

Can you imagine living surrounded by nature without ever leaving the city?

At The Greener Space, we celebrate projects like this and invite you to keep exploring the stories shaping the future of architecture and sustainable living. Visit our website for more inspiring content, and don’t forget to follow us on social media to stay updated on the latest in green design, interior trends, and innovative materials.

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