Overview

Imagine looking out from your 18th floor apartment in the middle of the city and seeing trees right in front of you. In an effort to stem climate change, reduce pollution, combat heat, and protect biodiversity, architects are teaming up with botanists, urban wildlife ecologists, and other scientists to design high-rise forests, living walls, and vertical farms in some of the world's most populated places. These projects are happening all around the world, and they will not only change the urban landscape, but they will provide urban dwellers with a healthier place to live and work. For Buildings That Breathe, author and environmental journalist Nancy Castaldo connected with architect Stefano Boeri at the World Forum on Urban Forests and was invited to his office in Milan where she visited Bosco Verticale, the first high-rise forest. Planted with 750 trees, 5,000 shrubs, and 11 perennials on two apartment towers, the project provides an urban habitat for birds, insects, and people while creating a micro-climate that produces oxygen and provides shade for high-rise residents. Explore Bosco Verticale, as well the planned Liuzhou Forest City in China and other green architecture projects around the world, looking at how people are working together to change the urban landscape of the future.

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9781728419466

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Reviews

An overview of ways that innovative architects are adding health-giving greenery to densely populated cities. Large cities with paved streets and tall buildings create extra heat and polluted air for their inhabitants. Around the world, architects are designing buildings that incorporate plants and trees to provide healthier environments. Castaldo explains why planting more trees is beneficial and takes a quick look back into the history of such projects. She then introduces Italian architect Stefano Boeri, summarizing his development as a green architect and describing at length the construction of Bosco Verticale, a treescraper in Milan. Widening her scope, the author discusses urban wildlife; rooftop plantings and green roofs; living walls; and urban farms. Her concluding chapters suggest some of the critical challenges to these approaches and ways readers can become part of this greening movement. Along the way, segments set off by the design present topics as varied as photosynthesis, Seneca Village before Central Park, Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, the rise of environmentalism in the West, aerial arborists, the health benefits of including nature in your life, High Line Park in New York, pollinators, green jobs, and electric cars. These inserts and the many photographs break up the text nicely, but some of them also distract from the work's main focus. Hopeful and information-packed, this is a positive addition to the environmental shelf. --Kirkus Reviews -- (9/15/2022 12:00:00 AM) In this stellar nonfiction book, Castaldo points out the detrimental effect that cities have had on planet Earth and proposes elegant solutions. Cities produce three-quarters of Earth's carbon dioxide and cause 91 percent of the population on the planet to inhale unhealthy air, resulting in about nine million deaths each year from air pollution related illness. Castaldo suggests change by creating architectural designs that focus on nature and greenery. In Milan, Italy--the city with the highest air pollution in Europe--the innovative and renowned Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) is comprised of two standing towers that are home to over 700 trees forming a standing, living forest. With one tower of nineteen stories and another of twenty-seven, Bosco Verticale has transformed the landscape, way of living, air quality, and biodiversity of its surroundings. The trees in Bosco Verticale absorb 24 tons of carbon dioxide, and 57 tons of pollutants each year while also producing about 9 tons of oxygen. As a result, its residents enjoy a tranquil lifestyle that brings nature and biodiversity to their doorstep and their windows. Besides focusing on Bosco Verticale, Castaldo presents other projects that can create a difference, like living roofs and living walls, modern urban farms and urban gardens. She demonstrates how, with the assistance of the community, cities can transform into green centers. Castaldo suggests that individuals in their cities volunteer time by joining a community garden, taking part in city planning or decision-making, growing indoor gardens, planting a tree, or becoming architects or other occupational professionals that effect change. Readers will find other valuable information in this book such as the history of environmental activism, past and current environmental leaders, the biology of trees, and even unexpected socioeconomic issues affecting the community, like eco-gentrification in particular. Rich with resources such as a list of breathtaking green spaces to visit around the world, a bibliography, weblinks for further study and a calendar of important events make this a highly recommended book that will enrich readers' knowledge of our planet Earth while inspiring creatively beautiful change. Reviewer Rating 5 -Children's Literature -- (1/25/2023 12:00:00 AM) The climate crisis is changing the way we live and the buildings we live in. Castaldo's work shares historical, scientific, and architectural interventions that help young readers understand how buildings can be designed for our changing climate. Focused on urban buildings, the text is clear and well cited, providing a sufficient depth of content. Importantly for young readers--and researchers--the glossary, references, bibliographies, and index are excellent tools to further the discussion or allow for a deeper dive into the topic. Castaldo also includes a list of suggested sites to visit and a calendar of events, encouraging young readers to explore the world outside the book. Throughout the text, there are sidebars offering a variety of engaging content, such as steps for 'How can you help green your city or town?' an introduction to the 'Library of Trees, ' and even an explanation on 'the importance of city-dwelling pollinators.' Photographs and illustrations support or expand on the text. VERDICT An exciting opportunity to engage young readers with their world and the multidisciplinary researchers working on these big, global issues. --School Library Journal -- (9/1/2022 12:00:00 AM) This engaging STEAM offering focuses on an architectural solution to urban pollution: trees. The accessible text presents an overview of green urban spaces, going back to ancient and medieval times (when plants and trees were used for camouflage and protection) and traces the use of architectural foliage to today's Milan, which is held up as a model. The emphasis is on architects and architectural innovations and pages are filled with photographs of interior and exterior spaces that incorporate plants and trees into their infrastructure. Urban farms, living walls, and green roofs are highlighted as are samples of greenery incorporated into large-scale art and sculpture creations. Along the way sidebars and insets explore related topics such as deforestation and city-dwelling wild animals and pollinators. The final chapter challenges readers to make a difference: plant a tree; start a community garden, adopt a pocket park. There are chapter notes, a glossary, a calendar, a bibliography, recommendations for further research, and lists of places to explore. This specialized but extremely helpful resource offers realistic and inspiring solutions. --Booklist -- (11/1/2022 12:00:00 AM)

An overview of ways that innovative architects are adding health-giving greenery to densely populated cities. Large cities with paved streets and tall buildings create extra heat and polluted air for their inhabitants. Around the world, architects are designing buildings that incorporate plants and trees to provide healthier environments. Castaldo explains why planting more trees is beneficial and takes a quick look back into the history of such projects. She then introduces Italian architect Stefano Boeri, summarizing his development as a green architect and describing at length the construction of Bosco Verticale, a treescraper in Milan. Widening her scope, the author discusses urban wildlife; rooftop plantings and green roofs; living walls; and urban farms. Her concluding chapters suggest some of the critical challenges to these approaches and ways readers can become part of this greening movement. Along the way, segments set off by the design present topics as varied as photosynthesis, Seneca Village before Central Park, Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, the rise of environmentalism in the West, aerial arborists, the health benefits of including nature in your life, High Line Park in New York, pollinators, green jobs, and electric cars. These inserts and the many photographs break up the text nicely, but some of them also distract from the work's main focus. Hopeful and information-packed, this is a positive addition to the environmental shelf. --Kirkus Reviews -- Journal (9/15/2022 12:00:00 AM) In this stellar nonfiction book, Castaldo points out the detrimental effect that cities have had on planet Earth and proposes elegant solutions. Cities produce three-quarters of Earth's carbon dioxide and cause 91 percent of the population on the planet to inhale unhealthy air, resulting in about nine million deaths each year from air pollution related illness. Castaldo suggests change by creating architectural designs that focus on nature and greenery. In Milan, Italy--the city with the highest air pollution in Europe--the innovative and renowned Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) is comprised of two standing towers that are home to over 700 trees forming a standing, living forest. With one tower of nineteen stories and another of twenty-seven, Bosco Verticale has transformed the landscape, way of living, air quality, and biodiversity of its surroundings. The trees in Bosco Verticale absorb 24 tons of carbon dioxide, and 57 tons of pollutants each year while also producing about 9 tons of oxygen. As a result, its residents enjoy a tranquil lifestyle that brings nature and biodiversity to their doorstep and their windows. Besides focusing on Bosco Verticale, Castaldo presents other projects that can create a difference, like living roofs and living walls, modern urban farms and urban gardens. She demonstrates how, with the assistance of the community, cities can transform into green centers. Castaldo suggests that individuals in their cities volunteer time by joining a community garden, taking part in city planning or decision-making, growing indoor gardens, planting a tree, or becoming architects or other occupational professionals that effect change. Readers will find other valuable information in this book such as the history of environmental activism, past and current environmental leaders, the biology of trees, and even unexpected socioeconomic issues affecting the community, like eco-gentrification in particular. Rich with resources such as a list of breathtaking green spaces to visit around the world, a bibliography, weblinks for further study and a calendar of important events make this a highly recommended book that will enrich readers' knowledge of our planet Earth while inspiring creatively beautiful change. Reviewer Rating 5 -Children's Literature -- Website (1/25/2023 12:00:00 AM) The climate crisis is changing the way we live and the buildings we live in. Castaldo's work shares historical, scientific, and architectural interventions that help young readers understand how buildings can be designed for our changing climate. Focused on urban buildings, the text is clear and well cited, providing a sufficient depth of content. Importantly for young readers--and researchers--the glossary, references, bibliographies, and index are excellent tools to further the discussion or allow for a deeper dive into the topic. Castaldo also includes a list of suggested sites to visit and a calendar of events, encouraging young readers to explore the world outside the book. Throughout the text, there are sidebars offering a variety of engaging content, such as steps for 'How can you help green your city or town?' an introduction to the 'Library of Trees, ' and even an explanation on 'the importance of city-dwelling pollinators.' Photographs and illustrations support or expand on the text. VERDICT An exciting opportunity to engage young readers with their world and the multidisciplinary researchers working on these big, global issues. --School Library Journal -- Journal (9/1/2022 12:00:00 AM) This engaging STEAM offering focuses on an architectural solution to urban pollution: trees. The accessible text presents an overview of green urban spaces, going back to ancient and medieval times (when plants and trees were used for camouflage and protection) and traces the use of architectural foliage to today's Milan, which is held up as a model. The emphasis is on architects and architectural innovations and pages are filled with photographs of interior and exterior spaces that incorporate plants and trees into their infrastructure. Urban farms, living walls, and green roofs are highlighted as are samples of greenery incorporated into large-scale art and sculpture creations. Along the way sidebars and insets explore related topics such as deforestation and city-dwelling wild animals and pollinators. The final chapter challenges readers to make a difference: plant a tree; start a community garden, adopt a pocket park. There are chapter notes, a glossary, a calendar, a bibliography, recommendations for further research, and lists of places to explore. This specialized but extremely helpful resource offers realistic and inspiring solutions. --Booklist -- Journal (11/1/2022 12:00:00 AM)

An overview of ways that innovative architects are adding health-giving greenery to densely populated cities. Large cities with paved streets and tall buildings create extra heat and polluted air for their inhabitants. Around the world, architects are designing buildings that incorporate plants and trees to provide healthier environments. Castaldo explains why planting more trees is beneficial and takes a quick look back into the history of such projects. She then introduces Italian architect Stefano Boeri, summarizing his development as a green architect and describing at length the construction of Bosco Verticale, a treescraper in Milan. Widening her scope, the author discusses urban wildlife; rooftop plantings and green roofs; living walls; and urban farms. Her concluding chapters suggest some of the critical challenges to these approaches and ways readers can become part of this greening movement. Along the way, segments set off by the design present topics as varied as photosynthesis, Seneca Village before Central Park, Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, the rise of environmentalism in the West, aerial arborists, the health benefits of including nature in your life, High Line Park in New York, pollinators, green jobs, and electric cars. These inserts and the many photographs break up the text nicely, but some of them also distract from the work's main focus. Hopeful and information-packed, this is a positive addition to the environmental shelf.--Kirkus Reviews -- Journal (9/15/2022 12:00:00 AM) The climate crisis is changing the way we live and the buildings we live in. Castaldo's work shares historical, scientific, and architectural interventions that help young readers understand how buildings can be designed for our changing climate. Focused on urban buildings, the text is clear and well cited, providing a sufficient depth of content. Importantly for young readers--and researchers--the glossary, references, bibliographies, and index are excellent tools to further the discussion or allow for a deeper dive into the topic. Castaldo also includes a list of suggested sites to visit and a calendar of events, encouraging young readers to explore the world outside the book. Throughout the text, there are sidebars offering a variety of engaging content, such as steps for 'How can you help green your city or town?' an introduction to the 'Library of Trees, ' and even an explanation on 'the importance of city-dwelling pollinators.' Photographs and illustrations support or expand on the text. VERDICT An exciting opportunity to engage young readers with their world and the multidisciplinary researchers working on these big, global issues.--School Library Journal -- Journal (9/1/2022 12:00:00 AM)

Author Information

Nancy F. Castaldo has written nonfiction children's books about our planet for more than 20 years. As an environmental educator, she hopes to empower more young readers with her books about the Earth. She is based in Chatham, New York.

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