Skyscrapers covered in greenery have become quite common in recent years, especially in Asia, but
This is the idea behind the “Farmscraper” building.Italian company Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA). According to the company, the building will be able to feed up to 40,000 people a year. The truss scraper, officially named Jian Mu Tower, will rise 218 meters in Shenzhen, China.
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Most of the 51-storey building will be given over tooffices, but there will also be a food court and a supermarket, and a rooftop terrace. In addition, most of the building's glass façade will be used for growing hydroponic crops.
Jian Mu Tower occupies the last vacantsite in the central business district of Shenzhen, thereby completing the skyline of the main axis of the area”, – the CRA explains. “The 218-meter-high tower has 10,000 square meters of area on its façade for growing crops. The vertical hydroponic farm will produce approximately 270,000 kilograms of food per year. This is enough to meet the needs of about 40,000 people.
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In fact, Jian Mu Tower creates an autonomousa food supply chain that includes growing, harvesting, selling and consuming crops - all in one building. Other notable features include a series of landscaped terraces, including water lilies, and greenery-filled gardens available for office workers to relax. Additionally, all the green space will help shade the interior and reduce the need for air conditioning.
Jian Mu Tower was designed withinan international architectural competition organized by the Chinese supermarket company Wumart. The project also involves the Italian specialized agricultural firm Zero and the engineering company Arup.
Source and illustrations: carloratti
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