Urban Skyfarm 

 

The Urban Skyfarm is a vertical farm design proposal for a site located in downtown Seoul, right next to the Cheonggyecheon stream, which is in a heavily populated, dense urban area within the central business district. Inspired by the ecological system of giant trees, the Urban Skyfarm is a prototype vertical farm project that would primarily support local food production and distribution while simultaneously contributing to improving environmental quality through water and air filtration, as well as renewable energy production.

By elevating the main food production field high above the ground, the vegetation receives increased exposure to natural sunlight and fresh air. Simultaneously, the ground level becomes more open, creating shaded spaces that can be enjoyed by the public. The bio-mimicry of the tree form provides numerous structural and environmental advantages, resulting in a lightweight and efficient space frame capable of hosting diverse farming activities. The four major components—root, trunk, branch, and leaf—each possess unique spatial characteristics suitable for various farming conditions.

Environmentally, the Urban Skyfarm functions as a living machine, contributing to the improvement of environmental quality through water and air filtration, the provision of greenery, and the generation of renewable energy. The dense urban development stands to benefit from additional green space, resulting in reduced heat accumulation, stormwater runoff, and carbon dioxide levels. Operating as a net-zero facility, the Urban Skyfarm relies solely on renewable energy produced through solar and wind sources. The vegetation and plantations consistently convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, contributing to the city's low-carbon goals. The water processing system encompasses water collection, filtration, and final processing facilities that filter greywater or stormwater, process it, and distribute it for irrigation or return it to the Cheonggyecheon stream.

In order to maximize exposure to sunlight, the vertical garden elevates the main outdoor vegetation area, referred to as the 'leaf portion.' This section is dedicated to medium-based hydroponic fruit trees and larger-scale vegetables that require greater exposure to outside air and sunlight. The lower portions consist of controlled indoor environments utilizing solution-based hydroponic farming with artificial lighting, which is more suitable for indoor crops such as basil, arugula, or bok choy. The Urban Skyfarm provides a 44,000 m2 outdoor farming deck space in the leaf portion and 28,000 m2 for indoor farming on the lower portion, along with a 3,200 m2 solar PV panel area for renewable energy production.

The Urban Skyfarm comprises four major components: the root, trunk, branches, and leaves, each with distinct spatial characteristics to accommodate diverse farming activities. The root portion offers a spacious, column-free, environmentally controlled area, making it ideal for marketplaces and public activities. The vertical load of the structural skin transfers to the ground level as it extends towards the edges. The trunk area, a slender vertical space with excellent city views, can be utilized as community garden spaces for local residents. The trunk divides into eight individual branches, each supporting approximately 60-70 farming decks suspended by structural trusses and tension cables. These farming decks, known as the leaf portions, are strategically spread out to maximize sunlight exposure. Each deck is equipped with supplementary heating and LED lighting systems, ensuring optimal environmental conditions for farming.

The Urban Skyfarm serves as a community garden hub where people can easily visit, grow their own vegetation, and participate in the final production, either by taking it home or selling it back to the local community. The central food market will host mobile farmer markets around the neighborhood, circulating through the city to facilitate the production and trading of local food products grown by the rooftop gardens within the community.

The tree-like form creates a strong iconic figure in a prominent location and becomes a symbol of well-being and sustainable development. By generating additional cultivation space through the vertical stacking of farming decks, the dense urban development will achieve a better balance between urbanization and ecology. Alongside the Cheonggyecheon stream, the Urban Skyfarm will become a desirable destination for people seeking fresh food, air, and relaxation within their busy urban lives.