A sneak peek into Vert – a pathbreaking solution and possibly a gamechanger in the continued effort to battle the effects of global warming – all set to be unveiled at London Design Festival 2024. A modular triangle-based ‘greening machine’ made from red oak glulam, and greened exclusively by climbing plants; Vert is projected to reduce the ambient temperatures by up to 8ºC, and cast four times more shade than a 20-year-old tree. Besides offering an urban-cooling solution and lending itself to the enhancement of the urban streetscape, Vert explores the high potential of red oak glulam for use as an alternative to wood-based materials typically used in design and construction, encouraging greater diversity and resilience in the world’s forests.

It is high time we found a sustainable solution to global warming – a term which has in 2024, evolved to global ‘boiling’ – emphasizing the urgency of finding ways to mitigate the extreme impacts of rising temperatures; which include more frequent and intense heatwaves, severe droughts, and other related phenomena. Since climate change is known to be caused by deforestation, urbanization, and industrial processes which increase greenhouse gas emissions, global cooperation is necessary to implement sustainable practices and strategies to address the issue.

The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) believes that timber and design industries have important contributions to make in the battle against climate change. AHEC, collaborating with Stefan Diez’s industrial design studio Diez Office and urban greening specialists OMCºC are set to unveil Vert - an experimental proposition for a modular timber structure that helps to cool the city while integrating easily into its existing infrastructure. Tall sails covered in climbing plants work to fix carbon dioxide in the air while creating areas of cooling shade - sheltered spaces for people to pause. Built from sustainable materials, Vert combines aesthetic appeal with tangible environmental benefits, and represents a transformative approach to urban development.

To view the entire article Click Here