Check out this tree-like skyscraper concept for vertical farming

The concept of vertical farms is well-known and has been played out in a number of different ways. Now, Aprilli Design Studio has stepped forward with a new idea for a vertical farm.

The concept is intended to resemble a giant tree. It uses lightweight decks as outdoor growing space on a massive skyscraper, Fast Company reports. These decks can provide 24 acres for agriculture, with an indoor hydroponic farm for greens; solar panels and wind turbines would be located on the roof to power the whole undertaking.

Seoul, South Korea, is envisioned as the location for this skyscraper farm. "It seemed to be an ideal place to test out our prototype since the specific area is very dense and highly active and has been suffering for a long time by all sorts of environmental problems resulting from rapid urbanization," said architects Steve Lee and See Yoon Park.

With its community gardens, park space, and a farmers market, this concept remains just an idea for now. On its future, Lee and Park told Fast Company: "Vertical farming really is not only a great solution to future food shortage problems, but a great strategy to address many environmental problems resulting from urbanization."

Check out project renderings below. All renderings courtesy of Aprilli Design Studio.

Aprilli envisions this vertical farm in the center of downtown Seoul.

Solar panels and wind turbines on the rooftop would power the entire complex.

In the "trunk" of the tree, the concept places a hydroponic garden.

Within the complex, there would be community gardens and a farmers market to provide food to the local community.

The architects have said that the complex could support more than 5,000 fruit trees.

Most of the farming would take places on outdoor decks.

Though well-fleshed out, this concept is still a only a concept.

Advances in glazing materials and glass building systems offer a seemingly unlimited horizon for not only glass performance, but also for the size and extent of these light, transparent forms. Both for enclosures and for indoor environments, novel products and assemblies allow for more glass and less opaque structure—often in places that previously limited their use.

The Forge in London is deploying industrialized, kit-of-parts construction. Images: Courtesy of Bryden Wood

Architects | May 3, 2022

A U.K.-based design firm flaunts industrialized construction as it expands into U.S.

Bryden Wood wants to set up a network for manufactured components for repeatable building types.

Codes and Standards | May 3, 2022

American Institute of Steel Construction updates environmental product declarations

The American Institute of Steel Construction has released updated environmental product declarations (EPDs) “to help designers and building owners design more environmentally friendly buildings and bridges,” according to an AISC news release.

Education Facilities | May 2, 2022

Texas School for the Deaf campus gateway enhances sense of belonging for deaf community

The recently completed Texas School for the Deaf Administration and Welcome Center and Early Learning Center, at the state’s oldest continuously operating public school, was designed to foster a sense of belonging for the deaf community.

Codes and Standards | May 2, 2022

Developer Hines, engineer MKA develop free embodied carbon reduction guide

Real estate management and investment firm Hines has released the Hines Embodied Carbon Reduction Guide. The free guide, produced with Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA), is the result of a two-year effort, relying on MKA’s industry-leading knowledge of carbon accounting and involvement in programs such as the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) Tool.

Building Team | May 2, 2022

HED and VAI announce merger to bring strategic expertise and drive community impact in Dallas

HED (Harley Ellis Devereaux), a leading national architecture and engineering firm, today announced a merger with award-winning, Dallas-based VAI Architects Incorporated (VAI).