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Vertical Farming Hub Featuring Floating Greenhouses and Algae Farms

Authors:
Nuoyan Xu, Qingfeng Liang, Yongruo Xue
Vertical Farming Hub Featuring Floating Greenhouses and Algae Farms
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Employing floating greenhouses and algae farms, the design serves as a vertical agricultural hub that promotes sustainable practices within an urban context.
5 key facts about this project
01
Vertical integration of multiple agricultural systems, enhancing space efficiency.
02
Adaptation of existing cooling towers to support resource recycling.
03
Incorporation of interactive educational spaces for community engagement.
04
Utilization of floating greenhouses to optimize urban food production.
05
Design structured to allow for upward replication as demand increases.

The Agricultural Rehabilitation Tower is located in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, an area known for its heavy industry. The design addresses the important issue of urban agriculture while also focusing on the need to protect farmland in a context where land prices are climbing. The concept involves creating a vertical agricultural facility that combines various sustainable farming practices within a multifunctional space that includes offices, an agro-ecological research institute, and a market.

Structural Design

The tower occupies a footprint of 6,400 square meters. It is designed to enhance agricultural output by making effective use of vertical space. Key elements include floating greenhouses, algae farms, and vertical seed banks, which allow various farming techniques to flourish in an urban environment. The vertical design not only maximizes land use but also supports multiple agricultural methods suited for city living.

Functional Layout

Inside, the Agricultural Rehabilitation Tower is organized into distinct unit blocks that serve specific functions, such as planting, office spaces, and research areas. Each section is carefully planned to ensure that agricultural research and community activities function well together. This layout improves interaction among users, creating a lively environment where researchers and the public engage and collaborate.

Sustainability Features

The project emphasizes sustainability with mechanical systems integrated for resource recycling, showcasing a commitment to environmental care. Existing cooling towers are adapted within the structure to provide necessary power and enhance environmental management. A winding passage allows visitors to experience the agricultural processes firsthand, promoting a deeper understanding of sustainable practices.

Interactive Spaces

The tower includes interactive elements like a greenhouse and a museum, which play a vital role in education. These areas encourage community involvement in urban agriculture and help to foster dialogue about food production in cities. This design makes agricultural practices visible to the public, enhancing awareness and appreciation for the processes involved in growing food within an urban setting.

The overall design features cultivation systems that can be seen from public areas, creating a direct connection between visitors and the urban agriculture occurring within the tower.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
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Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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