Brilliant Green Architectural Design Concept? Skyscraper Retrofits for Power and Food

March 24, 2008

retrofitting skyscrapers Brilliant Green Architectural Design Concept? Skyscraper Retrofits for Power and Food

Clearly we can’t very well tear down all of the world’s old skyscrapers for not being environmentally friendly – that kind of approach would itself be (ironic and) wasteful. At the same time, many of these buildings are projected to last for decades (or centuries) more. So what is the solution for making them green now? One rather clever proposal involves adding an auxiliary environmental layer to the existing structures that could house gardening and natural wind power production spaces.

skyscraper architecture Brilliant Green Architectural Design Concept? Skyscraper Retrofits for Power and Food

This particular proposal calls for a few basic modules with particular functions that could be combined in various ways to create networks of green functionality outside of and between various skyscrapers. Structural rigidity would rely to some extent on the structures they would be attached to as well as their complex geometries and interconnections.

environmental skyscrapers Brilliant Green Architectural Design Concept? Skyscraper Retrofits for Power and Food

The beauty of modularity is that plug-and-play systems like these are highly adaptable for future use and modules could, theoretically, be added and removed as-need during the lifetime of the structures. Taken as a whole a series of such modules would be able to provide both the indirect benefits mentioned above as well as direct benefits to adjacent skyscrapers including potential wind and sun regulation to reduce energy needs.

green skyscrapers Brilliant Green Architectural Design Concept? Skyscraper Retrofits for Power and Food

Of course the entry shown above is still purely theoretical. Nonetheless (and regardless of whether or not such a thing is ever truly built) it points toward new possibilities beyond the old paradigm of build and destroy and rebuild – a possible (and more ecological) approach that involves a middle path.

Written by ecoble · Filed Under Design and Architecture, Energy and Power, Sustainable Innovation, Various Ecobles 

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Comments

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  • Hoang Khanh Nguyen

    What a wonderful idea!

  • http://weburbanist.com/2008/03/30/5-urban-design-proposals-for-3d-city-farms-sustainable-ecological-and-agricultural-skyscrapers/ WebUrbanist » 5 Urban Design Proposals for 3D City Farms: Sustainable, Ecological and Agricultural Skyscrapers

    [...] that most urban cores are already densely built, one designer has proposed an auxiliary series of structures to be attached to existing structures in downtown [...]

  • http://ecoble.com/2008/12/11/kick-your-commute-go-green-by-working-from-home-or-from-somewhere-warm-and-sunny/ Kick Your Commute: Go Green by Working From Home (Or From Somewhere Warm and Sunny) | Ecoble

    [...] 7 Offbeat Off-the-Grid Green Gadgets, Inventions, and InnovationsNew Light Source Lasts 15 Years Without a RechargeMan (Re)Builds Mexican Island Paradise on 250,000 Recycled Floating Bottles10 Creative Ways to Recycle Ordinary ObjectsSustainable Prefab Living in Custom Style – Homes by FlatPakAwesome: Solar Powered Bicycle Boat DesignUpdate: New Floating Man-Made Island About to be Open to the Public8 Foot Catfish Caught in Cambodia and Other Strange Environmental NewsHow to Live in a Shipping ContainerBrilliant Green Architectural Design Concept? Skyscraper Retrofits for Power and Food [...]

  • http://DogJobLabs.com Brooks Coleman

    By making the bridge units telescoping air cylinder connections as well, they could harness even more power from the out of synch swaying motion of the buildings.
    -brooks DogJobLabs.com

  • http://DogJobLabs.com Brooks Coleman

    By making the bridge units telescoping air cylinder connections as well, they could harness even more power from the out of synch swaying motion of the buildings.
    -brooks DogJobLabs.com

  • Ruby Akbar

    A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.

  • http://www.superdealfurniture.com john@furniture store

    This is great! I like designing.

  • Dani

    I think this is a great idea. I honestly don't think anyone should waste buildings just to rebuild greener ones. And this idea totally takes care of that. I think the modules look pretty amazing. But of course people will have their objections. There could always be a variety of different modules, with different styles. In that case, there would be a lower risk of objections. But still use green material.

  • Dani

    I think this is a great idea. I honestly don't think anyone should waste buildings just to rebuild greener ones. And this idea totally takes care of that. I think the modules look pretty amazing. But of course people will have their objections. There could always be a variety of different modules, with different styles. In that case, there would be a lower risk of objections. But still use green material.

  • http://www.bonsai-pictures.com/ Bonsai pictures

    The approach of skyscrapper gardening is quite unique and result of the need for maintain greenery to help reduce carbon dioxide from our environment.

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