Agro-Housing
China has a population of well over a billion, almost half of whom live in densely packed urban areas. All of those people need fresh food to eat, and would probably also prefer to breathe somewhat clean air. But those kinds of numbers prove a mind-numbing puzzle for urban planners everywhere. One solution is the idea of Agro-Housing, or incorporating greenhouses within high-rise housing projects, as proposed by the Isreali firm Knafo Klimor Architects.
So what is this building? Essentially, the project is a combination of housing and urban agriculture. There's an apartment tower in which people live. Then there's a multi-story greenhouse that sits in the middle of the building, where fruits, vegetables, spices, and flowers will grow. A rooftop green space caps off the structure, and passive and active solar energy, along with gray water irrigation and rain water harvesting, helps keep the building also somewhat sustainable in form as well as function.
The architects plan for the greenhouse to provide food for the building's tenants. In addition, since the space is so large, there's the possibility of the residents creating little businesses for themselves selling the produce. Maybe the start of a neighborhood farmers' market?
The interesting design idea was created in response to the 2nd International Architecture Competition for Sustainable Housing. Firms were asked to put forward solutions to city living in one of three locations: Brazil, China, and the UK. Knafo Klimor won the prize for the China competition, and as a result, their submission is being built in the city of Wuhan.
As the world's population burgeons at startling speeds, it's a proposal that's more necessary than simply clever.
So what is this building? Essentially, the project is a combination of housing and urban agriculture. There's an apartment tower in which people live. Then there's a multi-story greenhouse that sits in the middle of the building, where fruits, vegetables, spices, and flowers will grow. A rooftop green space caps off the structure, and passive and active solar energy, along with gray water irrigation and rain water harvesting, helps keep the building also somewhat sustainable in form as well as function.
The architects plan for the greenhouse to provide food for the building's tenants. In addition, since the space is so large, there's the possibility of the residents creating little businesses for themselves selling the produce. Maybe the start of a neighborhood farmers' market?
The interesting design idea was created in response to the 2nd International Architecture Competition for Sustainable Housing. Firms were asked to put forward solutions to city living in one of three locations: Brazil, China, and the UK. Knafo Klimor won the prize for the China competition, and as a result, their submission is being built in the city of Wuhan.
As the world's population burgeons at startling speeds, it's a proposal that's more necessary than simply clever.
Posted by: Amara Holstein on Oct 23, 07 at 06:00 PM PDT
Hello from the canaries. I was realy impressed about the proyect you have hanged. If you have more information, please send me some. I´m thinking in the next AgroSustentableTectura
vichon
vitonboy@hotmail.com
Posted by vichonsai on 09/27/08 01:34PM PDT
I so mush like this idea of agro housing.
Posted by ohanyiri kingsley on 11/09/07 05:11PM PST
Looks like the would need an in-house beekeeper.
Posted by cbau on 10/29/07 09:54AM PDT
Post a comment
Geoff Manaugh
Sonja Hall
Aaron Britt
Sarah Rich
Christopher Bright
Kathryn Schulz
Sam Jacob
Brian Fichtner
Jamie Waugh
Laura Heller
Deborah Baldwin
Greg McElroy
Laure Joliet
David A. Greene
Andy Cruz
Miyoko Ohtake
Bryan Gardiner
Jordan Kushins
Apartment Therapy
Archinect
Inhabitat
OZOlife
MoCo Loco
Treehugger
