This Breathtaking Tree Tower Is The Changing Face Of Torontos Cityscape

Inspired by Montreal’s renowned Habitat 67 building, this incredible proposal for an 18-story timber tower block in Toronto shows that high-rises can be built sustainably and still connect with nature, even in a hectic urban environment.

The Toronto Tree Tower aims to make its mark on the landscape

This forward-thinking structure by architecture firm Studio Precht is a massive step forward in the future of high-rise construction, as the prefab modular panels designed by Tmber will be constructed off-site and simply craned in, meaning that the building will be erected more efficiently and less wastefully, while also causing less chaos and disruption to Toronto’s residents.

“Our cities are an assembly of steel, concrete and glass,” Chris Precht of Studio Precht said in a statement. “If you walk through the city and suddenly see a tower made of wood and plants, it will create an interesting contrast. The warm, natural appearance of wood and the plants growing on its facade bring the building to life, and that could be a model for environmentally friendly developments and sustainable extensions of our urban landscape.”

Using innovative construction methods, such as the Tree Tower’s cross-laminated timber design, could help ensure that the construction industry’s carbon footprint is substantially reduced in the future, which is why the Tree Tower Toronto is being heavily funded by the Canadian government.

A rendering of an interior space in the Tree Tower

“Elements of a building like wires and copper will be scarce resources in the future,” says Dayong Sun, who also worked with Precht on the project. “To demolish a tower in a conventional way buries most valuable elements of a building. To think about down-constructing a tower secures for a sustainable life cycle of a building.”

The eco tower block will also incorporate substantial terraces where shrubs, veg patches and even trees will be planted, which will not only help with the immediate ventilation of the building but also provide fresher air for the Toronto community in general.

Picture the building with spectacular fall foliage

The 203-foot (62-metre) tower will offer more than 53,000 square feet (5,000 square metres) of space, the majority of which will provide much-needed housing units, while 5,920 square feet (550 square metres) will be given over to public spaces, including community workshops, a day-care center and a café.

Undoubtedly, if the building is a success on completion, it will set a benchmark for future high-rises that are constructed in Toronto and the rest of the world.

The terraces will offer nice views of the cityscape

To coincide with Earth Day, 22 April, Culture Trip examines sustainable cities through the lens of architecture, food, waste and green spaces.

About the author

Charlotte Luxford

Architecture & Design Editor

As Culture Trip's architecture and design expert, Charlotte has more than 12 years' industry experience, working for an array of national publications. Prior to joining Culture Trip, Charlotte was the editor of Grand Designs Magazine, steering the magazine in a new direction and overseeing a new look for the title. She has also worked for mass media organisation TI Media, providing content for Livingetc, Ideal Home, Country Homes & Interiors and Homes & Gardens. Charlotte has always had a passion for design and is also a qualified interior designer, having completed a diploma in her spare time. At Culture Trip, Charlotte has worked closely with institutions including the Design Museum and London Design Festival, as well as interviewing design heroes such as Thomas Heatherwick and Sir Terence Conran.