The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), Diez Office, and OMC°C present Vert, a towering, triangular artificial canopy that addresses concerns about the urban heat sink effect.

Here it is pictured above in a fanciful rendering, and below in actuality. The timber chosen for this 10-meter-tall structure is American Red Oak, which, according to AHEC is an underused species offering great potential for large outdoor applications.

Vert features glu-lam beams of the durable species. Laminated lengths are glued together to achieve extraordinary strength and durability. AHEC’s European Director, David Venables, explains that the time and expense required to manufacture the beams are more than offset by its strength/weight ratio. A similar structure made of softwoods would require much more material.

For the Festival, urban greening experts OMC°C outfitted the biodegradable netting with more than 20 species of fast-growing plants, including morning glory, cheese plants, black-eyed Susan and night blooming moonflower—each of which are able to withstand intense sunlight. They also appeal to pollinator species, which helps to encourage biodiversity. The massive edifice of timber and greenery will cool the air by an estimated 8 degrees Centigrade while casting four times the amount of shade than a 20-foot tree.

The team also incorporated the Red Oak beams as seating and planks for flooring. Its rich brown hue offers a beautiful counterpoint to the sprawling plants as they reach their tendrils toward the top.

Find Vert (don’t think you can miss it) at Chelsea College of Arts from the start of LDF until October 14.