London firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners has revealed details of a concept for a bamboo-framed vertical farm that could provide an alternative to traditional land-intensive farming.
Named Skyfarm, the design is for a multi-storey hyperboloid structure that integrates different types of farming – ranging from traditional planting to aquaponics – and also produces its own energy.
Rogers Stirk Harbour claims the structure could be integrated into cities, but would also be suited to rural areas where land is scarce or soil quality is low. It would allow produce with short lifespans, like strawberries and spinach, to be grown close to market.
"Skyfarm proposes an alternative to the typical land-intensive farming systems," explained the firm, which recently completed a 50-storey office block in collaboration with Mexican firm Legorreta + Legorreta.
"These towers support several layers of agricultural cultivation and an aquaponics system that enables the growth of crops and fish together in a re-circulating system," added the team.
市场和餐厅区域位于建筑首层，便于向公众展示，蓄水箱和种植区域则位于上层，并在屋顶安装风力涡轮机。
除了农业和复合养殖，农场建筑还能够进行气雾栽培法，植物能够脱离土壤在富含矿物质的雾状环境中生长。
Market and restaurant areas could occupy the ground level of the tower, helping to educate the public. Farming areas would be located above, as well as water tanks and roof-mounted wind turbines.
As well as agricultural and aquaponic levels, the structure could also support aeroponic farming, where plants are grown without soil in a misty mineral-rich environment.
The Skyfarm project was initiated in 2014 in response to the theme for the Milan Expo 2015, "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life", which questioned how countries will produce enough food for the world's growing population.
"It is said that by the year 2050 nearly 80 per cent of the earth's population will reside in urban centres," said the architects.
"Over the same period of time, the earth's population is expected to grow by an additional three billion people," added the firm. "If we continue to use traditional farming practises, it is believed that an area of land larger than Brazil will be needed to feed these additional people."
Rogers Stirk Harbour claims the farm's lightweight bamboo frame could be scaled up or down, so the design could be adapted for a variety of situations.
"A 10-metre version could be constructed in a school, or an 80-metre farm built in a larger urban area," said the firm.
"Its geometry can also be adapted depending on the earth's latitude and the amount of sunlight available. In cooler climates, a double-skinned enclosure and heating could be added to create optimum growing conditions."
Urban farming is an issue that has been tackled by numerous architects, all concerned about the future of food production. Other proposals include a vertical farm that doubles as a retirement community and an underground hydroponics network.
室内草图/Interior plan sketch
天空农场项目在本周赢得了建筑评论国际地产投资交易会审查未来项目奖-可持续发展奖。
本项目也是2014年世界建筑节的获奖作品，它被描述为“充分、可信且美妙的设计”。
Skyfarm picked up the sustainability prize at the Architectural Review MIPIM Future Projects Awards this week.
It was also a winner at the World Architecture Festival 2014, where it was described as a "thorough, believable and beautiful project".
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners is led by architect Richard Rogers with partners Ivan Harbour and Graham Stirk. Formerly known as the Richard Rogers Partnership, its best-known projects include the Leadenhall Building and the Stirling Prize-winning Maggie's Centre.
