The Rainbow Tree
There is no Planet B. ~
Let’s be a part of the solution.. and not part of the pollution ~
I honestly believe we all can do something to help save the environment. No matter how small your acts may be, whether it’s refusing disposable straws, plastic bags, cups, etc. and switching to reusable options; or supporting small businesses, organic farmers, and other many things we can do — these little habits would make a big impact on nature, for sure. ❤︎
Also, I’m not really big on following the trends… But these eco-friendly options, low-waste/ zero-waste lifestyle, and earth-friendly buildings are definitely something that I’d like to be a part of. And I’m hoping that you (reading this) would too. Because where else are we supposed to go if we lose this planet? Yup, thought so. Hehe. 🙂
In line with the green trend, we’re so excited to bring you this sweet news about an upcoming Eco-Friendly Tower that’s soon to rise in the heart of Cebu City – The Rainbow Tree. The 115-meter high residential tower was designed by Paris-based architecture Vincent Callebaut Architectures.
The tower will have 32 levels and would contain about 300 apartment units. The building will include a condominium with retail and service apartments and mixed-use residential. This gorgeous project got its name from “Eucalyptus Deglupta” – which is also known as Rainbow Eucalyptus, a colorful tree in the Philippines.
The people behind the construction of the Rainbow Tree aims to put up a residential building with double environmental certification; offering the perfect balance between mixed cultural heritage and the natural heritage with exceptional features.
According to Vincent Callebaut Architectures, “on October 31, 2019 – the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has chosen 66 new “Creative Cities”. Among these cities is Cebu – which was awarded for its innovation in design, particularly in the fields of fashion, architecture, and the production of eco-responsible furniture.”
In addition – “the architecture of the Philippines is both a dynamic combination of multiple influences and a reflection of the country’s historical and cultural heritage. The heritage is based on a mixture of Austronesian, Chinese, Malaysian, American, and Spanish influences.”
“At a time when we need to find radical solutions to reduce the global carbon footprint, we have designed a 32-story, the 115-meter high tower built of solid wood, as it is the only natural, abundant, and renewable material,” added the organization.
The Rainbow Tree organic tower combines the principles of Passive Bioclimatism and Advanced Renewable Energies. It’s a lot like Earthships – these are also beautiful environment-friendly and sustainable homes. Ahhh! If you google them, you’ll see how gorgeous and sweet they can be.
Back to this beautiful Rainbow Tree Tower… For those who aren’t familiar with Bioclimatism/ Bioclimatic Architecture – the project design’s goal is to construct buildings that are in harmony with the natural surroundings and the local climate. Pretty cool, huh? 🙂
The residential/ commercial tower will be adorned with the most beautiful plants from the neighboring tropical forests. These lush ornaments composed of more than 30,000 plants, shrubs, and tropical trees – which will draw a flourishing spiral in the colors of the rainbow. And would definitely bring a breath of freshness to the heart of Cebu Business Park.
The tower is a staggered geometric stack of 1,200 timber modules – each with sides measuring 4 meters sides and a height varying between 3.2 to 4.8 meters. All these mass timber modules are constructed beforehand and standardized in a factory with a very high degree of precision. The modules are inspired by the “Bahay Kubo” also known as “Nipa Huts”.
We all know how bahay kubos look like, right. These indigenous houses were made from natural materials that could be found in the forest – such as wood, bamboo, and palm leaves. Before the Spanish colonizers came here with their stone-base constructions, the traditional Filipino rural houses used to rest on stilts and were anchored to the trunk of the trees near the rice fields, coconut palms, and land filled with fruit trees.
The eco-friendly building will be constructed by using a Cross Laminated Timber – whose manufacturing process requires much less energy than concrete or steel, and moreover they do not generate greenhouse gases.
According to the Vincent Callebaut Architectures, “The Rainbow Tree has sinusoidal balconies staggered between the even and odd floors allowing palm trees and deciduous trees to grow on a double-height.
“The endemic plant species are listed according to the color of their flowering – pink, purple, green, yellow, orange, red – to draw 5 plant spirals wrapping around the solid wood facades.”
This amazing urban forest right in the middle of the city makes it possible to fight against the effects of urban heat. As well as add up to the air freshness by the evapotranspiration of plants that grow around the tower – giving off clean oxygen to the public space around.
Moreover, these 30,000 plants, shrubs, and trees planted all over the building will take in 150 tons of C02 in the atmosphere of Cebu City and transform them into oxygen through natural photosynthesis. The tower will also be breathable and depolluting while operating – because of its bio-based construction materials which makes it low in intrinsic carbon. It’s so good right? 🙂
The Rainbow Tree is designed in this manner: the basement will be 3 levels with 40 parking spaces each level. Then, on the first floor – would be a restaurant, a co-working space, an entrance hall for accommodations, and the bicycle parking. On the second floor, there are more co-working office spaces, and access ramps to the basement parking spaces.
Then, from the third to the sixth floor – will be 40 parking spaces per level, about 160 spaces in superstructure for electric cars. On the seventh floor, you will find the condominium pool and spa. On the eighth floor, there is the mezzanine of the fitness center just above the swimming pool.
From the 9th to the 31st floor, would be 13 apartment units per level. There will be about 138 units for 1 Bedroom apartments, 115 units for 2 Bedroom apartments, and 47 units for 3 Bedroom apartments. And on the 31st floor – an urban sky farm will be built and will have 2 mezzanines with aquaponics. The plants will be producing fruits, vegetables, and algae harvested in an extra-short circuit by the residents of the Rainbow Tree.
Wait, there’s more. 😉 On the roof, a 1,650-sqm photovoltaic and thermal solar panel will be utilized. I really like how this structure will be harvesting power and energy from natural resources. And at the same time giving off oxygen for us to take in.
Vincent Callebaut said, “By 2050, 80% of the world’s population will live in cities. It is now necessary to produce as close as possible to the consumer-actors and consume the minimum of resources while reducing wastes and greenhouse gas emissions.”
“Within the framework of the new circular economy, the Rainbow Tree is a prototype of a completely biobased vertical forest respecting the four pillars of the ecological city of the future, namely: energy self-sufficiency (heating, cooling, and electricity); greening of buildings and development of urban agriculture; soft mobility centered on pedestrians, bikes and electric co-mobility; social innovation through spaces for sharing between residents and solidarity services,” added Callebaut.
Vincent Callebaut Architectures was established by Belgian ecological architect Vincent Callebaut. Vincent Callebaut Architectures are known for their green projects and ecological approach dealing with many aspects of sustainability on renewable energies, biodiversity, and urban agriculture.
The Rainbow Tree is pretty neat, me thinks. And I’m sure a lot of environmentally-conscious individuals would also get excited when reading on some good news like this one. I know, I am. I’m all for whatever it takes to help save this planet, I’m doing it for my son and all the other children. You should care, too. ❤︎❤︎
