Are “vertical forest” towers (like Bosco Verticale) now impossible under UK post‑Grenfell regulations?

[mike99]

I’m interested in whether Bosco Verticale / “vertical forest”‑type towers are actually feasible under current UK building and fire regulations.

 

Examples I’m thinking of include:

  * Bosco Verticale in Milan

  * Trudo Vertical Forest (social housing) in Eindhoven

  * Wonderwoods Vertical Forest in Utrecht

 

I’ve been told that, post‑Grenfell, it would be “impossible” to build something similar in the UK because of fire safety rules and restrictions on combustible materials in external walls and balconies (e.g. the ban on combustible materials for residential buildings over 18 m, and the wider post‑Grenfell fire‑safety regime).

 

My questions are:

  * Is it actually building regulations (Approved Document B / the combustible‑materials ban / Building Safety Act regime, etc.) that would prevent this typology in the UK?

 

  * Or could a Bosco Verticale‑style tower be designed to comply, for example by using non‑combustible façade systems, planters, supports and irrigation, plus whatever additional measures the regulator would expect?

 

  * If it is possible in principle, what are the main regulatory or technical hurdles that would have to be addressed for UK approval?

 

I’m particularly interested in answers from people familiar with UK fire engineering, façade design, or high‑rise residential regulation.

 

 

[ADLIan]

It’s covered in Approved Doc B, Section B4 and yes does look to be impossible! There is a guidance document on green walls but it is old, well before Grenfell. Regulation 7(2) would apply and overrides this guidance.

[kandgmitchell]

Well one has to admire some Build Hubbers aspirations! We just stuck to two floors and a bit of timber cladding.........

 

Interesting question though. One has to ask are the plants "materials" for the purpose of the regulations or "decoration" if they aren't actually incorporated into the structure of the building. That could branch out in all directions and sprout lots of discussion......

[LDNRennovation]

It’s not explicitly banned, but you’re talking a very expensive and different approach to it than those on the continent. It’s basically a legal nightmare, for everyone involved, forever. It probably wouldn’t pass your gateway 2 submission and raise a lot of red flags with the BSR and all the golden thread.

 

At the moment we have materials like pipes and conduits that aren’t tested for certain applications, so you can imagine where plants and their watering systems, waterproof membranes etc are. Proving that can’t go wrong and the plants won’t die and burst into flames in the summer, impossible. 

 

It might be easier to get it on commercial buildings, so nice facades aren’t out the window yet, pun not totally intended. 

[ADLIan]

Yes, not banned as such. Massively difficult and expensive to “engineer” a solution that will ensure compliance with the Regulation for all the above reasons.

[SteamyTea]

The consultation on the new regs finishes in a few days time.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cev8mrgky9eo

 

[ADLIan]

That consultation is not the BR it is for PAS 9980 on fire assessment/remediation of existing blocks of flats.