New Digital Architecture Magazine on Architecture and Interior

An acrhitectural design from Israel-based Knafo Klimor Architects was awarded as the winner of 2nd International Architecture Competition for Sustainable Housing. This Agro-Housing concept allows tenants to produce their own food, reducing commuting needs and providing a green neighbourhood. The Agro-Housing blends urban and rural living by creating vertical greenhouse space within high-rise apartments. A new offer for modern housing solution that integrates green building practices, smart growth principles and traditional values that create sustainable urban communities within China’s growing metropolises.

The Agro-Housing is composed of two parts as the apartment’s tower and the vertical greenhouse. The greenhouse is a multi-floor structure for cultivation of crops such as vegetables, fruits, flowers and spices, equipped with a drip irrigation system that re-uses grey water. The greenhouse climate is controlled through natural ventilation and a heating system. A roof-top terrace garden offers open-air green space for recreation and informal gathering. A sky club on the roof is designed to host social gatherings and celebrations, and a kindergarten on the ground floor keeps young children close to home and family. The individual [#%0#2]apartments[/#%0#2] allow maximum flexibility to arrange interior spaces to accommodate family changes over time, including integration of a work space. The building has a minimal footprint in order to free the ground surface for gardening and rainwater harvesting. Paving is limited and made of recycled materials.

The Building’s ( Agro Housing’s ) main structure is composed of steel, which is prefabricated and installed on site, enabling flexible spaces to be constructed. The steel, like the aluminum, glass and terracotta the building uses, can be recycled should the building be deconstructed. The estimated cost of construction per square meter is about €200 ($28 USD/square foot).

Via : Inhabitat.com