It’s alive! South Africa to get stunning new biophilic building

The first-ever biophilic building in South Africa and on the African continent is coming to Cape Town soon! Here are the details…

A biophilic building for Cape Town

The city of Cape Town will get the very first biophilic building in South Africa next year, set to be completed before the end of 2024. The building will be called The Fynbos, and will have 24-storeys of assorted-use space, with 689 apartments, a rooftop sunset terrace with a lap pool, co-working space, and a fitness centre, reports Cape Town Etc. The ground floor will also have a plant-based restaurant, tea room, and botanical bar.

The new development will feature a 1 200m² vertical garden made up of 30 species of indigenous tree and 20 species of shrub, specially selected for their beauty and resilience.

Some of the trees and plants will be anchored in place to survive Cape Town’s voracious gusts of wind, while the more intricate planters will be sheltered in the buildings crevices for protection.

The building is the brainchild of Lurra Capital, the owners and developers, who had the vision of a building with a vertical garden in the middle of the city. The building is currently being developed but eager visitors can keep an eye on its progress by visiting the site at 142 Bree Street, Cape Town.

What is a biophilic building

The biophilic building concept is used within the architectural industry to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, available light, air flow, clean water and plants.

Biophilic buildings are said to have health, environmental, and economic benefits for residents of the buildings as well as their urban environments.

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