In the heart of the Chapinero Alto neighbourhood of Bogotá (Colombia) stands Santalaia, an imposing building that houses the largest vertical garden in the world. With more than 3,100 square metres of vegetation cover and nearly 115,000 plants of 10 species belonging to five different families, this green colossus is the result of the work of Alicante-born biologist and botanist Ignacio Solano, internationally renowned for his work in the development of vertical ecosystems.
The project was promoted by the Colombian company Exacta Proyecto Total, which commissioned Solano and his Paisajismo Urbano team, in collaboration with Groncol, to create a living green façade, uniform in volume and colour. The entire process took 16 months: eight dedicated to design and another eight to the execution of the work, which has transformed the urban landscape of Bogotá.
One of the distinctive features of the garden is the inclusion of plants endemic to Colombia. To achieve this, Solano undertook a preliminary expedition to the jungles of Chocó, where he collected native species that were reproduced in vitro before being integrated into the building. This approach not only contributed to ecological authenticity, but also strengthened the link between the project and local biodiversity.
One of the biggest technical challenges was the irrigation system, due to the size and complexity of the garden. The solution was a sophisticated system divided into more than 40 independent sectors, regulated by sensors that measure humidity and solar radiation. In addition, the building has a water treatment plant that recycles both excess water from the garden and some grey water from the building itself.
The result is not only an aesthetic feat, but also an example of urban sustainability. Santalaia has become a veritable green lung in the middle of the concrete jungle, providing environmental benefits such as improved air quality, thermal regulation and the restoration of ecological balance in one of Latin America’s most densely urbanised cities.
This vertical garden not only breaks records for its size, but also represents a vision of the future where nature is reintegrated into the urban environment thanks to science, design and the passion of professionals such as Ignacio Solano.
Large-scale sustainability
In addition to promoting the proper development of the vertical ecosystem, the biodiversity used provides high environmental value. A vertical garden with varied, endemic and even endangered species, such as the one in Santalaia, becomes a true
In figures, the Santalaia garden is capable of generating the oxygen needed for more than 3,100 people per year, processing 775 kilograms of heavy metals, filtering more than 2,000 tonnes of polluting gases and capturing more than 400 kilograms of dust. All this is achieved with a system that makes the most of water resources by reusing grey water and recirculating irrigation water. In addition, the green façade acts as a natural insulator, reducing the building’s energy consumption for air conditioning.
With all these benefits, the Santalaia building not only breaks records for its size, but also becomes a symbol of sustainable development and a global benchmark for how to integrate nature into the urban environment thanks to science, design and the ecological vision of professionals such as Ignacio Solano.
