Podcast Summary: Stefano Boeri: Nature’s Favorite Architect

Podcast: The Grand Tourist with Dan Rubinstein
Host: Dan Rubinstein
Episode Title: Stefano Boeri: Nature’s Favorite Architect
Release Date: March 12, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Grand Tourist, Dan Rubinstein engages in an enlightening conversation with Stefano Boeri, one of Italy's foremost architects and urban planners. Boeri, renowned for his innovative approach to integrating nature within urban landscapes, is the president of the Triennale Design Museum and the visionary behind the iconic Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) in Milan. The discussion delves into Boeri's upbringing, his architectural philosophy, groundbreaking projects, and his role in shaping sustainable urban environments.

Early Life and Influences

Dan Rubinstein opens the dialogue by exploring Boeri’s early memories of Milan, emphasizing how the city has fundamentally shaped his architectural perspective.

Stefano Boeri (00:00): “Milano is always part of my feelings and also my perception of any urban environment that I have met in my life. It’s like a kind of filter.”

Raised in Piazza Sant'Ambrogio, Boeri reflects on how the blend of sacred and profane spaces in Milan fostered his appreciation for nuanced urban design.

Influence of Chini Boeri

Dan inquires about Boeri's mother, Chini Boeri, a prominent figure in design and architecture, highlighting her impact on his career.

Stefano Boeri (05:32): “Every member of the family should require and ask a very important autonomy relation with the other. Only if this happens, you can cohabit.”

Chini Boeri's emphasis on autonomy and the harmonious balance between cohabitation and independence profoundly influenced Boeri’s approach to design, particularly in creating spaces that cater to both human and ecological needs.

Academic and Early Career

Boeri discusses his academic journey at Politecnico di Milano, initially aspiring to study oceanography before committing to architecture. His early career was marked by a focus on urban sprawl and suburban environments, co-authoring significant works with photographer Gabriele Basilico.

Stefano Boeri (09:48): “We were studying exactly that phenomenon [suburban sprawl]. It was very important for me.”

In the early 1990s, Boeri co-founded the research group Multiplicity, which aimed to revolutionize urban studies by incorporating diverse perspectives from architects, photographers, psychologists, and geographers. This interdisciplinary approach gained recognition in the contemporary art field, culminating in participation in esteemed exhibitions like Documenta in Kassel.

Founding Boeri Studio and Early Projects

Boeri recounts the establishment of Boeri Studio in 1999 and his first significant project—a geothermal plant for Enel in Tuscany. Contrary to the client’s request to blend the structure into the landscape, Boeri opted to highlight the mechanical presence, earning praise from notable figures like Salvaro Sidza and Tadao Ando.

Stefano Boeri (17:10): “We wanted to emphasize to make this mechanical presence, not hide it, but maybe make them more visible.”

This project marked Boeri’s commitment to innovative design that challenges conventional aesthetics and functionality.

Bosco Verticale: Concept and Realization

The centerpiece of the conversation revolves around Bosco Verticale, a pair of residential towers in Milan enveloped with over 900 trees, 5,000 shrubs, and 11,000 floral plants. Boeri explains the genesis of this revolutionary concept during his tenure as director of Domus Magazine.

Stefano Boeri (20:39): “Why don’t we try to develop a high-rise building which acts as a kind of ecosystem, with a biological facade featuring plants and trees?”

Despite initial skepticism from developers regarding the feasibility of sustaining such a verdant structure, Boeri assembled a team of experts to address concerns about tree maintenance, irrigation, and structural integrity. This collaboration culminated in the successful inauguration of Bosco Verticale in October 2014, a decade prior to this episode.

Ecosystem Integration

Boeri emphasizes that Bosco Verticale is more than aesthetic greenery; it serves as a dynamic habitat fostering cohabitation between humans, birds, insects, and plants.

Stefano Boeri (26:50): “This building is a prototype of a new generation of buildings where different living species coexist within a single structure.”

The project underscores the potential for buildings to evolve with their environments, continuously adapting through seasonal and daily changes.

Global Impact and Adaptations

Reflecting on Bosco Verticale’s influence, Boeri discusses its replication in various climates worldwide, each iteration tailored to local environmental conditions and plant species.

Stefano Boeri (29:34): “Every time we start a new project, we consider the climate conditions first and select plant species that are adaptable to those specific environments.”

This approach ensures that each Vertical Forest harmonizes with its locale, promoting biodiversity and sustainability across diverse urban landscapes.

Urban Forestry Manifesto

Boeri introduces his Urban Forestry Manifesto, launched in 2015, advocating for scaling ecosystem concepts to entire urban environments. Collaborating with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, he champions the creation of biological corridors connecting green spaces to mitigate climate change.

Stefano Boeri (33:09): “Trees are absorbing CO2, fine dust, reducing energy consumption by shading facades, and combating the heat of mineral urban environments.”

Boeri believes that expanding green infrastructure within cities is imperative for reducing carbon footprints and enhancing urban livability.

Role at the Triennale Design Museum

As president of the Triennale Design Museum, Boeri outlines his vision to showcase Italian design and architecture through an anthropological lens, exploring the human relationships behind iconic works.

Stefano Boeri (43:34): “We were reconstructing the life and the amazing human relationships they had in their life...”

He also highlights upcoming projects, such as the 24 Expo International Expo focusing on societal inequalities, further demonstrating his commitment to addressing global challenges through design.

Future Aspirations and Reflections

Boeri shares his aspirations to form an association of tenants living in green buildings, fostering a community aligned with sustainable and ecological principles. He reflects on Bosco Verticale’s decade-long success and the continuous learning process it has entailed.

Stefano Boeri (31:37): “This building is always changing... It’s an ever-changing building, which is very unique.”

He remains dedicated to refining his designs, integrating botanical knowledge, and adapting to evolving environmental needs to enhance the symbiotic relationship between architecture and nature.

Conclusion

Stefano Boeri’s vision transcends traditional architectural boundaries, seamlessly blending nature with urban living to create sustainable, dynamic ecosystems. His innovative projects, particularly Bosco Verticale, exemplify how thoughtful design can address environmental challenges while enhancing the quality of urban life. Through his work at the Triennale Design Museum and his ongoing advocacy for urban forestry, Boeri continues to inspire a harmonious balance between built environments and the natural world.

Notable Quotes:

• Stefano Boeri (00:00): “Milano is always part of my feelings and also my perception of any urban environment that I have met in my life. It’s like a kind of filter.”

• Stefano Boeri (05:32): “Only if this happens, you can cohabit.”

• Stefano Boeri (20:39): “Why don’t we try to develop a high-rise building which acts as a kind of ecosystem, with a biological facade featuring plants and trees?”

• Stefano Boeri (26:50): “This building is a prototype of a new generation of buildings where different living species coexist within a single structure.”

• Stefano Boeri (33:09): “Trees are absorbing CO2, fine dust, reducing energy consumption by shading facades, and combating the heat of mineral urban environments.”

• Stefano Boeri (43:34): “We were reconstructing the life and the amazing human relationships they had in their life...”

This comprehensive discussion with Stefano Boeri offers valuable insights into the future of sustainable architecture and the pivotal role of integrating nature within urban settings. Listeners gain a deeper appreciation for Boeri’s innovative contributions and his unwavering commitment to creating greener, more resilient cities.