Plant-covered facade for tower

The M6B2 Tower of Biodiversity, designed by local firm Maison Edouard Francois, has been completed in Paris. It is devised to show that high-rise structures can be used to create environment-friendly cities with plenty of plant and animal life, as its signature feature is its plant-covered facade that allows seeds to be spread across the city.

Benefiting from an exemption to the 37-metre height restriction in Paris, the team created a 50-metre building that towers above its neighbours at River Gauche, on the southern bank of the River Seine. Continuing on from the studio’s previous explorations into plant-covered architecture, the team created a facade with a double skin for the 16-storey tower.

The outer layer is made up of stainless steel netting that acts as a climbing frame for plants so that when the wind blows, their seeds will be spread across the city.

The mesh extends up and over the roof of the building, covering a garden on top.  
The inner facade is covered in recyclable green titanium panels that shimmer when the sun hits it, causing the tower to become a beacon, while its green colouring is intended to be reminiscent of moss. Balconies between the two facades wrap the entire building to create a curved outline.

Concrete volumes support the structure and raise it to create a double-height entrance. It is surrounded by glazing that allows for plenty of natural light, while an angular blue panel  mounted on the ceiling reflects the interiors. Inside, the stairwells and hallways feature exposed concrete offset by colourful paintwork and lighting. The tower forms part of a complex made up of three other smaller buildings, a nursery, and a retail centre, with a public garden in between. These are clad in darker metal facades.