Vertical Farming

Current demographic trends reveal that our population will jump another 3 billion people by 2050, at which point almost 80% of us will be living in urban areas. Assuming that we continue our traditional farming techniques, an area of land larger than the size of Brazil will be required to grow enough food to feed us all. The problem is that currently over 80% of the world's land suitable for growing crops is being used (Sources: NASA & FAO).

Columbia University microbiologist, Dickson Despommier believes that the solution to humanities newest predicament is the large scale introduction of vertical farming. Since mastering the art of growing food horizontally, we have sacrificed countless thriving ecosystems and replaced them with fields of crops. We protect ourselves from the elements by moving into cities and living in tall buildings, yet let our growing food fend for itself against flooding, droughts, and hurricanes. With our booming population it's high time to learn how to grow our food locally, in buildings within urban centers. Vertical farms offer the possibility of year-round crop production and the simultaneous repair of ecosystems as we gradually lose our reliance on horizontal farming. Also, let's not forget how this could decrease fossil fuel burning, which is needed to power tractors, plows, and various shipping methods.

Along with the benefit of no weather or insect related crop failures, vertical farms would eliminate agricultural runoff by recycling black water. They would also add energy back to the grid via methane generation from composting non-edible parts of plants and animals. Depending on the crop, 1 indoor acre is the equivalent to 4-6 outdoor acres or more. Just consider that one 30 story building taking up an entire NYC block would feed 50,000 people per year. This means that 165 sky farms spread across the 5 boroughs would be enough to continuously feed all of New York. For more information visit The Vertical Farm Project.

Building Revolution

Dubai seems to be the hot spot for architectural experiments. This new project, designed by architect David Fisher, will be a remarkable feat known as the Dynamic Tower. The building will swivel in the wind, as its 80 floors rotate independently. The stories will pivot around a central spine, and between each apartment a spinning wind-turbine will have the ability of turning your home into a self-sufficient power generator.

Condo reservations are already being taken, but they won't be ready until 2010, and will cost from $3.7 million to $36 million ($3000/square foot). Penthouses will be able to control the rotation of their own units, but the designers control the lower floor. Another one is being planned for completion in Moscow before 2011, and possibly a third in New York City.

The construction scheme is just as impressive as the building itself. Each story will be made from prefabricated parts. The rooms will be assembled in a workshop, shipped to the site, and attached to the building's spine. Check the video below:

Nature's Architects

On the left is a typical termite mound; on the right is Zimbabwe’s largest office and shopping complex: The Eastgate Center. Both are built based on the same principles.

Termites build massive mounds inside of which they farm fungus, their primary food source. In Zimbabwe, the temperature outside of the mound ranges from 2 C at night, to 40 C during the day, but the fungus must be kept at exactly 31 C. The termites achieve this by frequently opening and closing a series of heating/cooling vents throughout the mound over the course of a day. Air is sucked in the lower part of the mound, down into the enclosures with muddy walls, and back up through a channel to the top of the mound.

The Eastgate Center has a ventilation system that operates similarly. At the start of the day the building is comfortably cool. During the day, the shining sun, machines and people generate heat, which is absorbed by the fabric of the building. Gradually the temperature inside increases. In the evening, when the outside temperature drops, the warm internal air is vented through chimneys. This movement is assisted by fans, but also rises naturally due to the less dense nature of hot air. This draws in cool air at the bottom of the building. The process continues over night until an ideal temperature has been reached for the next day.

By applying the termite's ventilation method, known as passive cooling, Eastgate uses only 10% of the energy needed by a similar conventionally cooled building.

Zero Is The Future

Imagine living in a zero carbon emission + zero waste community. Soon this will be the reality for residents of Masdar, which means "the source" in Arabic. Architectural firm Foster + Partners will be constructing a 6 million square meter sustainable walled city just outside of Abu Dhabi. The project will cost approximately $22 billion.

The city, shown above, will be car free, with a maximum distance of 200m to the nearest transport link and amenities. There will also be an electrical rapid transport system, but the shaded walkways and narrow streets should make a pleasurable environment to go for a stroll within the extreme climate of Abu Dhabi. Solar power will be the main source of energy. In addition, the surrounding land will contain wind, photovoltaic farms, research fields and plantations, so that the city will be self-sustaining.

The project began in 2006, with 2016 as the projected date of completion. After the first phase is constructed in 2009, Masdar will be habitable. It will be home to 50,000 people and 1,500 businesses.

But they are not alone!

The Chinese have also unveiled a plan for an eco-city of their own: Dongtan. Based on similar environmentally friendly principles, by 2040, this city will be one-third the size of Manhattan, capable of holding a total population of 500,000.

This is quickly becoming something like a new age space-race... Hopefully more nations will join in.