TIRANA VERTICAL FOREST TIRANA BOSCO VERTICALE - The BALKANS' ICON

BY RUDINA HOXHA & JOSE PINTO

Gener 2 is both the developer and the builder of Vertical Forest Tirana, a project which bears the signature of the Italian architect, Stefano Boeri. It bears many challenges in comparison with the traditional buildings but Gener 2 does it all when it comes to an eco-friendly environment and happier & healthier clients.

“The level of detail in the design, the precision in the execution of the structure, and the overall project itself, once complete, will be an icon in the Balkan region. We are extremely proud to be facilitators of this development,” says Is Ulaj, Executive Assistant to CEO in his exclusive interview with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE.

The studio led by Italian architect Stefano Boeri came up with the concept of Bosco Verticale, or Vertical Forest, as a way to combine high-density residential development with tree planting in city centres. This was also a way to stimulate biodiversity.

“Working with a team of consultants such as Stefano Boeri Architetti, SCE Project, ESA Engineering and others, is proving to be an excellent experience for us,” Ulaj says.

Full interview below:

How important is Gener 2’s involvement in the development of Vertical Forest Tirana project?

Gener 2 is both the developer and the builder of this project. The Vertical Forest concept was developed by Stefano Boeri of SBA, a world renowned architect, who has designed several green buildings and properties throughout the world, most notably, Bosco

Photo credit: Gener 2

Verticale in Milan. Working with a team of consultants such as Stefano Boeri Architetti, SCE Project, ESA Engineering and others, is proving to be an excellent experience for us. The level of detail in the design, the precision in the execution of the structure, and the overall project itself, once complete, will be an icon in the Balkan region. We are extremely proud to be facilitators of this development.

How challenging is this project given its specific ecosystem which interprets the environmental context?

There are a couple of challenges with this sort of development. But, with SBA’s experience, we are able to overcome them. For example, the trees that will be planted into the balconies specifically needed to be chosen to survive the Mediterranean climate that we have in Albania. Additionally, the trees have been planted exactly 2 years in advance of when the project timeline calls to install them. This is to ensure that the plants are at perfect maturity for when they are planted into the façade. So, you can say that this project is part of an urban the living parts of the façade are plan titled “Tirana 2030,” which literally growing simultaneously to specifically aims to promote these the building’s structure. It’s quite developments and to generally interesting. The building itself will improve nature densification be a living thing. throughout Tirana. The Vertical Forest Tirana is such as these because we, ourselves, considered as the most innovative are innovators in our market. We’ll skyscraper in the country, always embrace ideas which are for dominated by natural features. the common good. Tirana is heading Do you think this is a model of in the right direction in terms of future for the city of Tirana? tackling environmental issues and its This trend seems to be “will be an icon future is certainly exciting, bound to gaining traction in the Balkan be improve yearthroughout the world, and region” over-year. we certainly hope it continues. Although the development challenges are more difficult than for traditional buildings, the advantages such as a positive environmental impact and happier & healthier clients, are well worth it. Tirana can certainly gain from these trends by utilizing less land, regenerating and densifying vegetation, reducing pollution and reducing the environmental impacts of urbanization.

Gener 2 absolutely welcomes ideas such as these because we, ourselves, are innovators in our market. We’ll always embrace ideas which are for the common good. Tirana is heading in the right direction in terms of tackling environmental issues and its future is certainly exciting, bound to be improve year over-year.