Brooklyn-based firm wins recognition with ambitious Urban Skyfarm concept for Seoul 

Young New York firm Aprilli Design Studio has been awarded a Special Mention in the WT Smart City Award 2014 and recognised as Silver A’ Design Award Winner in the Futuristic Design Category (2013-14) for its Urban Skyfarm concept. The vertical agriculture scheme has been designed for Jung-gu, Seoul and incorporates a sky-farm, hydroponic farm, botanical gardens, viewing deck, farmers market, water filtration facility, renewable energy production facility and cafeteria.

WAN posted the project to its Facebook page on Monday to mixed responses. Some commentators questioned the feasibility of the tree-like structure while others applauded the design team for their creativity. Aprilli Design Studio reference Dr Dickson Despommier’s ‘The Vertical Farm’ as a starting point for their concept, finding further inspiration in the structure of trees.

The team explains: “The bio mimicry of the tree form gives many structural and environmental advantages to form a light weight space frame which could host diverse farming activities. The four major components which are the root, trunk, branch and leaf each have their own spatial characteristics which are suitable for various farming conditions....Continue Reading

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