Could Brisbane’s greenest building rival Singapore?,
After years of being stuck in planning limbo, a developer has reapplied for council approval for their 30-storey apartment building.
This ambitious project is called the ‘Urban Forest’ and is located in South Brisbane.
If permission is granted, the design promises to be truly extraordinary.
Over 27,000 plants and 800 trees will elegantly spill over the building’s entire façade.
Consequently, it resembles less a typical block of flats and more a piece of futuristic rainforest growing from bedrock.
Aria Property Group, the developers behind this project, have significant ambitions for their vision.
They aim for the Urban Forest to become one of the most sustainable residential buildings in the world.
“In the future, we want Brisbane to be compared to Singapore as a leader in green buildings and sustainability,” said Michael Hurley.
He serves as the development director at Aria Property Group and shared these insights with the Brisbane Times.
As Brisbane prepares for a climate-positive 2032 Olympic Games, the designers believe their project sets an important precedent.
In addition, they hope the Urban Forest will inspire future residential development throughout the city.
“Urban Forest represents the greenest design achievable with the current greening tools and regulations available,” explains architect Koichi Takada.
He made this statement on the studio’s website, emphasizing the project’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
“One major takeaway from the COVID-19 pandemic is the realization that we are all living beings,” he continues.
He adds that we exist to live, not merely to defy death in some way.
“Our architecture should reflect this understanding,” he concluded, highlighting the philosophy behind the design.
Unit sizes in the Urban Forest will range from one to five bedrooms, providing options for various residents.
Additionally, each apartment will feature its own lushly planted balcony, enhancing the living experience significantly.
A rooftop solar farm is planned to generate electricity for all residents, promoting renewable energy use.
Furthermore, both greywater and rainwater will be harvested for household purposes, maximizing sustainability.
To maintain the 5,600 square meters of vertical gardens, the building will employ two landscape specialists annually.
In addition, two landscape apprentices will also be hired each year, ensuring ongoing care for the greenery.
The building will allocate an impressive annual landscaping budget of over $400,000 to support these efforts.
“We aim to celebrate Brisbane’s subtropical climate while bringing the traditional backyard experience into each apartment,” said Simon Maurice.
He serves as the design manager at Aria Property Group, sharing his vision for the project.
In another nod to traditional Australian architecture, the ground floor of the building will be elevated on stilts.
This design choice pays tribute to the classic Queenslander style, blending modernity with local heritage beautifully.
