Beautiful and Fresh Greenery of 1000 Trees in the Heart of Shanghai's Art District

Beautiful and Fresh Greenery of 1000 Trees in the Heart of Shanghai's Art District

The first phase in the 1,000 Trees project in Shanghai was recently inaugurated, showcasing a beautiful, finished mountain-like structure. I admire how the columns are topped with a big planter that features at least one tree alongside  other botanicals. I love to look at architecture, I am fascinated by the work of Heatherwick Studio and am drawn to design that integrates greenery because I think it is appealing and it gives back to our environment. This particular architecture looks like a giant floral arrangement to me, and I like it. 


Hanging gardens with 1,000 trees take shape along Suzhou Creek, Shanghai, ChinaCREDIT: JIANG XIAOWEI, SHINE 

Professionally, I visited Shanghai with Certified American Grown Flowers and the USDA as part of a delegation that was formed to travel to China to host seminars to develop foreign trade. On that trip I fell in love with Shanghai, and China. The trip was a part of a USDA Foreign Ag Services grant program that gave Certified American Grown an opportunity to develop markets on behalf of flower farms. I was the only florist and it is one of the greatest experiences of my lifetime. It made a great impression on my heart, my mind and my career. Resendiz Brothers wrote a blog post about this particular trip to China, here. 

Shanghai, China Visit: Promoting American Grown Flowers, Christy Hulsey

American Grown Flower Farmers and the USDA with Christy Hulsey of Colonial House of Flowers in Shanghai, China

American Grown Flower Farmers and the USDA with Christy Hulsey of Colonial House of Flowers in Shanghai, China

American Grown Flower Farmers and the USDA with Christy Hulsey of Colonial House of Flowers in Shanghai, China

American Grown Flower Farmers and the USDA with Christy Hulsey of Colonial House of Flowers in Shanghai, China

I found China to be more beautiful in landscape and design and environmentally progressive than I expected. I have been fascinated ever since. It makes sense that when the 1,000 Trees Building that is a 15 acre block in the heart art district officially opened to the public last month it caught my fascination.  

Heatherwick Studio:

"1,000 Trees is conceived not only as a building but as a piece of topography and takes the form of two tree-covered mountains, populated by hundreds of columns. Rather than hiding the columns which provide structural support, the columns emerge at the top of the building as large planters, each holding a handful of trees."

 

1000 Trees Building in Shanghai, China CREDIT: 1000 TREES, ARCHELLO 

1000 Trees Building in Shanghai, China CREDIT: 1000 TREES, ARCHELLO  

1000 Trees Building in Shanghai, China

CREDIT: 1000 TREES, ARCHELLO 

According to Thursd., "each of the columns is topped with a planter that contains a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees, as well as shrubs and hanging plants." 

Inside the 1000 Trees Project CREDIT: 1000 TREES BUILDING OPENS IN SHANGHAI, THURSD. 

Known as “Shanghai’s Hanging Gardens of Babylon,” the 1,000 Trees project is a Thomas Heatherwick–designed development. It features two mountainous peaks punctuated with 1,000 soaring pillars showcasing more than 70 different species of trees. The columns (see above) that pass through the building are topped with planters. 

The site is an old flour factory. A part of original factors will be preserved with a bell tower that will be transformed into a sightseeing elevator, the new communal hub unites restaurants, museums, galleries, shops, a hotel, a school, and office spaces across an orthogonal grid. It sounds really cool and green to me. I love it! It makes me sad that our world can't have more wide open green space and forest and plains and plants so this is the next best thing. 

 

 1000 Trees Project, World Architect CREDIT: WORLDARCHITECTURE.ORG

I believe that trees and greenery provide great value to our world's cities and to our world as a whole. Greenery can help mitigate the urban heat island effect by lowering ambient temperatures, shade public spaces and buildings and absorb pollutants from the air. Plus, trees and plants are so visually appealing and lower stress of people, increase focusing and aid mental health. Trees naturally  absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen while they also provide biodiversity, and houses for birds and insects. As the name suggest 1,000 Trees is distinguished by hundreds of plants that emerge from its staggered, pixellated surface and these 1,000 trees have all these benefits. 

 

1000 Trees Project, Shanghai, China CREDIT: WORLDARCHITECTURE.ORG

The part of the whole 1000 Trees project known as the West Mountain, opened to the public in December 2021. The West Mountain phase is to be followed by a 19-storey East Mountain that will contain offices and a hotel. And, hello there! Do you need an American florist? I know a good one. 

 

1000 Trees Project in ShanghaiCREDIT: DEZEEN

 

Personally, I love the idea of this shopping center and incorporation of plants and trees in such a dramatic and creative way. To be honest I am happy if more urban spaces every where would focus more on the fauna but this is above and beyond that simple wish. I love the fauna, the plants, the color and the artistry. I believe it's a plan and idea for the future. What do you think? Feel free to comment below, or reach out via social media. 

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