A marriage of microbiology and vertical gardening, the currently-under-construction Agora Garden will be a twisting, blossoming double helix amplified to massive proportion. Designed by Vincent Callebaut Architecte, the residential tower will utilise its rising jungle both in terms of aesthetics and sustainability.
In fact, this building will supposedly be one of the most eco-friendly in the city, as it plans to incorporate an orchard, vegetable garden, aromatic and medicinal plant space, and a compost and rainwater capturing system. Additionally, the tower plans to at least partially run on solar energy; a circular light funnel sill push the sun’s rays down to the basement, where absorbers can then make use of it as need be.
The design team is (considering the building’s form) unsurprisingly happy to escape convention. They describe the building as “neither single tower, nor twin tower” but rather “two helical towers gathering themselves around a central core”. The unusual shape of the tower will also provide its inhabitants with an equally unusual view — depending on where you’re standing, your view will alter and turn with the structure itself.
The entire project is supposed to be completed by 2016, and with such elaborate, complex, and packed contents, the double helix of its design will make absolute sense. [The Creator’s Project via The Verge]