Architecture Of The Future: DesignMind Explores Ideas That May Change The World


The importance of sustainability has become paramount. No longer are we under the impression that we have an unending source of natural resources- and we are predominantly more aware of our effects on the environment. As DesignMind has previously discussed in our last newsletter, the relationship between nature and architecture is one of re-construction, a balance – and architects hold an integral responsibility. There are some who are preparing for the future, who are calculating our needs in years to come and have conceptualised and designed the future of architecture. DesignMind uncovers some of these forward-thinking architectural ideas and shares with you the possible architecture of the future.

When The Tides Begin To Rise: The Lilypad By Vincent Callebaut

One of the major disasters we face is the rising of the sea level. Global warming is slowly melting ice caps around the globe and unlike ice in a glass of water – our sea level is rising. New research shows that by the year 2100 the sea level rise could be up by more than 1m. This will result in displacement of people, and destruction of coastal regions.

Vincent Callebaut has devised a plan to address housing the inevitable tide of displaced people as Oceans begin to swell – The Lilypad. His website www.vincentcallebaut.org explains the concept behind this futuristic floating city:

Image: www.vincentcallebaut.org

“It is a true amphibian half aquatic and half terrestrial city, able to accommodate 50,000 inhabitants and inviting the biodiversity to develop its fauna and flora around a central lagoon of soft water collecting and purifying the rain waters. This artificial lagoon is entirely immersed ballasting thus the city. It enables to live in the heart of the subaquatic depths. The multifunctional programming is based on three marinas and three mountains dedicated respectively to the work, the shops and the entertainments. The whole set is covered by a stratum of planted housing in suspended gardens and crossed by a network of streets and alleyways with organic outline. The goal is to create a harmonious coexistence of the couple Human / Nature and to explore new modes of living the sea by building with fluidity collective spaces in proximity, overwhelming spaces of social inclusion suitable to the meeting of all the inhabitants – denizen or foreign-born, recent or old, young or aged people. “

Not only is the Lilypad a zero-emission city – it produces it’s own energy and can process C02 in the atmosphere, absorbing it into it’s titanium dioxide skin.

Saving Space: Vertical Farming Projects

Dickson Despommier, a professor of environmental health sciences, developed the idea of vertical farming or ‘farmscrapers’ in 1999 – seeing the world’s need for a more sustainable, reliable source of food.
By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the earth's population will reside in urban centers and the human population will increase by about 3 billion people. As the website www.verticalfarm.com explains “An estimated 109 hectares of new land (about 20% more land than is represented by the country of Brazil) will be needed to grow enough food to feed them, if traditional farming practices continue as they are practiced today. At present, throughout the world, over 80% of the land that is suitable for raising crops is in use (sources: FAO and NASA). Historically, some 15% of that has been laid waste by poor management practices.”

Image: www.verticalfarm.com

Architects such as Charlotte Avignon, Oliver Foster and Blake Kurasek have all designed incredible forward-thinking indoor farming skyscrapers for the purpose of ‘vertical farming’. The concept of indoor farming is not new – but these architects have taken the initiative to advance this concept. It’s an entirely new approach with cutting-edge technologies and techniques. The designs are efficient and easy to operate. They offer the production of a safe and stable food supply. They may also allow the land that has been sacrificed for vertical farming to regenerate.

Vertical farms by different architect differ slightly – but have basic design philosophies and elements in common. To create a reliable, sustainable, eco-friendly farm that requires much less space than traditional farming as it is ordered vertically. They use greenhouse systems such as hydroponics – and utilize mostly recycled materials.
Illustrated below is the vertical farm design of French architect Charlotte Avignon

Let’s Get Off The Grid: Cellophane Houses

The creation of electricity contributes significantly to carbon emissions and waste.
Designed to be entirely self-sufficient, this 1800 square-foot residence has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living and dining space, a roof terrace, and a carport. The five-storey building is a prefabricated dwelling. Thin photovoltaic panels integrated into the walls of the house can produce enough electricity to run the entire building.

Image: www.inhabitat.com

Buildings That Cut Material Use: Innovative Architecture

Construction waste is a large contributor to our ever-growing pollution problem. Globally, we need to devise new plans to cut down on construction waste.

Image: www.inhabitat.com

The Aberystwyth Arts Centre in Wales recently opened eight stunning crumpled steel buildings that utilize an innovative construction method to keep their material use to a minimum. Conceived by design/build team Heatherwick Studio the special cladding system was installed on-site by forming foil-thin steel into structural shapes and then coating the inside with spray foam insulation. The polished and crinkled steel not only provides windowsills and eaves but creates an interesting facade of fragmented reflections of sky, forest, and grass which gives the buildings a striking look that is entirely made up of their surroundings.

Have you seen any innovative, sustainable, forward-thinking designs that you would like to share with the community? Do you have any comments or feedback. Let us know on www.designmind.co.za