Competition: Evolo 2011 Skyscraper

Designed for the Evolo 2011 Skyscraper Competition, Skyfarm proposes an architectural response to the issue of a locally sourced food supply. Climate-wise, Minnesota is not conducive to growing many of the crops that have become staples of the American diet. While agriculture is a major part of the state economy, many of the foods demanded by consumers must be shipped from other states or countries. As the local food movement grows stronger, and prices to ship perishable items sky rocket, a new paradigm is needed for how we can locally mass produce basic fruits and vegetables. Enter SkyFarm. For over a century the skyscraper has maximized the efficiency of land by multiplying the usable area many fold. In the case of Skyfarm, on half a city block, 20 acres of climate controlled farmland is proposed.

Three different areas respond to three different types of crops: tree born fruits, vine fruits and vegetables, and grains. Each of these has a different articulation within the building responding to their different growing and harvesting requirements.

The south facade of the tower has terraces for growing crops that are non-native to Minnesota. The north facade complements this by providing apartments with views of downtown Minneapolis. These two different functions share a common purpose. Waste, in the form of CO₂, generated by the inhabitants of the apartments is circulated to become food for the plant life. Similarly, the waste from the plants, in the form of O₂, is fed to the occupants of the apartments.