Mile-high vertical farming community, Chicago, IL, USA
Inspired by the water droplet pattern, the project intends to create a mile-high vertical farming community at the Chicago lakefront, connecting with its physical and socio-economical context. The vertical farming centered at the tubular structure continues the lakefront green belt vertically while addressing inequality in fresh food distribution in Chicago. The four conjoined towers are laterally supported by two layers of bracing structure to increase the structural depth. On the outer tube, based on a diagrid pattern spanning 25 stories in one unit, exoskeleton structures weave the building in a network of fluid lines that integrate mega-bracing with lateral support. The tower utilizes renewable energy, including wind turbines, rainwater collection, and cloud harvesting to make a self-sustaining community.