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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 Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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