Issue 183 of the architecture magazine Arketipo features an in-depth article about Wonderwoods Vertical Forest project, designed by Stefano Boeri Architetti in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
As part of the urban regeneration plan in Beurskwartier — the new pedestrian area adjacent to the Central Station — Wonderwoods is taking shape: a complex made up of two distinct yet connected towers, designed by Stefano Boeri Architetti and MVSA Architects.
In particular, the Wonderwoods Vertical Forest by Stefano Boeri Architetti is a 104-meter tower that reinterprets the Vertical Forest model, known for its rich presence of trees and plants, into a mixed-use format. Following Milan’s Bosco Verticale and Eindhoven’s Trudo Vertical Forest (a social housing project), Wonderwoods Vertical Forest is the first vertical forest in the world to include public spaces open to citizens. The goal is to make this innovative architectural typology more integrated into the urban fabric and accessible to all.
The building, inaugurated in early 2025, houses around 200 apartments of various types designed for a diverse range of residents, along with commercial spaces, sports and leisure facilities, and dining venues.
Culturally, Wonderwoods Vertical Forest represents a new development in the landscape of contemporary European architecture — a significant experiment in the demineralization of vertical architectural surfaces. At the same time, it serves as a new urban landmark for Utrecht, thanks to its strategic central location and highly diverse functional mix aimed at promoting inclusivity for all citizens.