OCT 01

Imagine strolling a few steps in your underwear to pick fresh tomatoes from the garden, without ever leaving your apartment. All that and more in an urban desert, no less. Israeli architectural firm Knafo-Klimor recently won an international competition for their design of a modern apartment building that incorporates interior gardens into its residential units. The high-rise has 4 columns, the exterior two consisting of standard living spaces, while the two interior form contiguous, vertical gardens, attached to each individual apartment.

Engineering tricks allow for sunlight and heat to enter through the windows and create greenhouse conditions, while also blocking them in summer, reducing air-conditioning needs. Given that the gardens are elevated and interior, fewer insects wander in, hence less call for pesticide. Purified gray water from the residences and rain water drawn from the roof are collected for automated irrigation, allowing for virtually fuss-free gardens.

Basically, plant seeds, watch them grow, and enjoy. Aside from the gardens, the residential areas themselves leave a clean conscience, as the buildings will generate most of their own electricity and water. The whole structure aims to use green residential technology to the fullest, thusly maximum self-sufficiency with minimal impact.

Comments (5)

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Pros and Cons
written by Steve N. Lee, October 02, 2008

I like the idea of this and where it can lead - a garden for every apartment in every city, providing a natural retreat and sustainable living through cultivation of vegetables.

But our cities are already jam-packed with buildings and yet there's not enough room for everyone. As the population increases, we're going to need more and more room so how can we afford the 'luxury' of indoor gardens when that space could house families deperate for accommodation?

If these designs ever become reality, I fear such housing will be well beyond the average person and those who can afford it won't be interested in producing food when they can drive their gas-guzzler to the supermarket.

When urban land space is at such a premium, sadly, I can't see any practical aspect to this design.

Steve N. Lee
author of eco-blog http://www.lionsledbysheep.com
and suspense thriller 'What if...?'

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i agree
written by Mich, October 02, 2008

This is the coolest thing i´ve seen! We all know that living in cities is like living in the mouth of pollutions volcano. This inovation wouldn´t require a change of lifestyle (like moving out of the city) that so many people are scared of doing. Woohoo

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Practicality might be questionable but..
written by Jay Kerby, October 02, 2008

I agree with Mr. Lee's comment above that limited space and high cost might preclude this sort of design ever being incorporated in housing for "the masses." However, I imagine that an increasing number of urban dwellers will be willing pay a premium for such amenities, particularly if they weren't personally responsible for the daily upkeep of such facilities (i.e. building maintenance employees tended the gardens).

On the purely scientific side of the idea, while excluding interaction with outside biota with the intent of reducing pesticide use seems like a good idea it has some drawbacks. Interaction with other plant and soil communties is crucial for simple processes like inoculation of beneficial soil microbial populations and pollination. Thus total isolation is a double-edged sword.

In general the idea is similar to the urban tower farm concept that has been floating around and gradually gaining steam. The recent issue of Scientific American has a good article worth reading. http://www.verticalfarm.com/PDF/SciAm-Oct08.pdf

Cheers

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...
written by carcharias, October 03, 2008

This is a fantastic idea! It will provide a hint of nature to urban environments, which will prove to be great for the dewllers' wellbeing. And, if the gardens are cultivated well, it will GREATLY reduce everyone's ecological footprint.

Although in highly developed areas, like cities, it is questionable whether all of the buildings will have access to ample sunlight...

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every bit helps
written by Heather, March 04, 2009

I love the concept. Read the book "Outgrowing the Earth" by Lester Brown. Every little thing helps and hopefully only raises awareness about how many more steps need to be taken by all of us.

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