Designed by acclaimed Dutch firm MVRDV, the La Serre is a new high-rise being built near Paris, France. The impressive building features a steel grid facade that will accommodate hundreds of trees and plants, which allows every resident to have their own private green balcony and terrace area. Residents can enjoy and relax in their personal green space.
Designer: MVRDV
La Serre translates to The Greenhouse, and MVRDV is collaborating with landscape architect Alice Tricon and developer OGIC to build the structure. It consists of 18 floors, and 190 apartments, 30% of which will be designated social housing. The space will also include retail spaces on the ground floor. With La Serre, MVRDV wants to create a landscaped “vertical village”, with shared areas for residents to visit and interact, as well as the aforementioned private balcony and terrace spaces.
The structure will occupy 3000 square meters and will accommodate 390 trees, out of which 338 will be on the building’s exterior. The facade of the high-rise will include 150 different plant species which have been picked considering the height of the building, allowing the plants to be exposed to the sun and wind. MVRDV also teamed up with ecologists to install nesting boxes for the local bird and bat species. The building also utilizes recovered wastewater for irrigation, although that has not been specified yet.
“La Serre’s vibrant open facade not only enhances the biodiversity of Issy but also creates connections among residents and with the city, fostering social sustainability,” said MVRDV. “Over 25% of the building’s inhabited area is dedicated to terraces and balconies, providing an average of 15 sq m [161 sq ft] of outdoor space per resident. “Greenery, whether located in the communal areas or on private balconies, will be tended to by a dedicated gardener to ensure good maintenance. Stairs and footbridges connect all shared spaces, from the main hall on the ground floor to the urban window at the heart of the structure and the communal rooftop garden offering residents panoramic views of the city.”
The structure’s first tree was ceremonially planted during a groundbreaking ceremony, and La Serre is intended to be completed in 2026.
