Last updated: October 2021
The Veneto Eye Bank Foundation, a social welfare organization and regional centre of reference for cornea transplantation and research into epithelial stem cells, is a distinct and iconic project which embraces architect Emilio Ambasz's philosophy of "The Green Over the Gray," or the landscape over the building. It is a triangular-shaped building with a series of landscaped terraces at each floor level on one side. On the opposite side, the building rises as a series of steps that lead to a flat planted roof garden turning it into an outdoor amphitheatre. The combination of the plantings and deep overhangs minimises the impact of heat loads by blocking sunlight during the middle of the day (ref 1).
Veneto Eye Bank Foundation
Source: Ref. 1
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Nature on buildings (external)
- Green roofs
- Green walls or facades
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Environmental quality
- Air quality improvement
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Improving mental health
Focus
Creation of new green areas
Project objectives
1. Creation of a unique building perfectly merged with its natural surrounding.
2. To embrace architect Emilio Ambasz’s philosophy of “The Green Over the Gray,” or the landscape over the building (ref 1, 2, 3).
Implementation activities
The building was commissioned by the Eye Bank Foundation and constructed between 2004 and 2008. 7145 sq. m. of (estimated) Greenroof, Landscaped Terraces & Below Grade Parking Garage (On Structure Greenroof) were installed. The building rises as a series of steps that lead to a flat planted roof garden. These steps make the entire living roof an outdoor amphitheatre. With Drainroof, support in regenerated polypropylene designed for the realization of hanging gardens, the extensive green areas were built to cover the underground parking lot, the roof of the Banca degli Occhi Foundation, the roof of the hospital’s side entrance. Drainroof has been chosen to guarantee the perfect protection of the waterproofing sheath of the roofs and the correct accumulation of water, the right drainage and the necessary green ventilation. The hanging garden has been planted with Sedum, which has been very well developed just one year after sowing. Drainroof has been much appreciated for its simplicity and speed of installation, which has guaranteed to the work direction the respect of the construction times, as well as for the technical characteristics because it is safe, resistant and long-lasting. (1 and 2).
Main beneficiaries
- Private sector/Corporate/Company
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Private foundation/trust
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Dissemination of information and education
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The client of the project is the Veneto Eye Bank Foundation, a private institution that commissioned the building as new headquarter for research. The building has been designed by Emilio Ambasz Associates architect studio. Several construction companies took part in different aspects of the creation of the building (ref 1, 4).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Corporate investment
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Lowered local temperature
- Environmental quality
- Improved air quality
- Green space and habitat
- Promotion of naturalistic styles of landscape design for urban development
- Increased green space area
- Increased number of species present
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Safety
- Increased perception of safety
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Health and wellbeing
- Improved mental health
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Greenroofs. (2018) VENETO EYE BANK FOUNDATION (FONDAZIONE BANCA DEGLI OCCHI DEL VENETO ONLUS). Source link. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 24th September, 2020.
2. Emilio Ambasz. (no date) Banka Degli Occhi. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 24th September, 2020.
3. Velazquez, L. (2016) Source link. Vailable at: Source link. Accessed on 25th September, 2020.
4. Gardinetti, M. (2020) Emilio Ambasz, máscara simbólica en el Veneto. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 25th September, 2020.
5. Building of futuristic architecture indicates technological development of institution: Available at: Source link. Accessed on 25th September, 2020.
6. Dragone R. (2017) Mestre: la Banca dell’Occhio di Emilio Ambasz: Available at: Source link. Accesses on 25th September, 2020.
2. Emilio Ambasz. (no date) Banka Degli Occhi. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 24th September, 2020.
3. Velazquez, L. (2016) Source link. Vailable at: Source link. Accessed on 25th September, 2020.
4. Gardinetti, M. (2020) Emilio Ambasz, máscara simbólica en el Veneto. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 25th September, 2020.
5. Building of futuristic architecture indicates technological development of institution: Available at: Source link. Accessed on 25th September, 2020.
6. Dragone R. (2017) Mestre: la Banca dell’Occhio di Emilio Ambasz: Available at: Source link. Accesses on 25th September, 2020.
Veneto Eye Bank Foundation
Source: Ref. 1
Veneto Eye Bank Foundation
Source: Ref. 1
Veneto Eye Bank Foundation
Source: Ref. 1