Vertical Farm - Conceptual Project

Project idea

The design concept of the vertical farm merges three initial ideas into one cohesive and dynamic vision.
The first idea starts from the logic of three main entrances, forming a triangular base that gradually shifts across levels—creating movement and architectural rhythm. The second idea draws inspiration from the local agricultural identity, particularly grape cultivation. This led to a circular pattern applied to the façade, symbolizing growth, repetition, and productivity. The third idea plays with pure geometric forms—cylinders and spirals. The spiral becomes both a vertical circulation path and a green corridor, wrapping the building with movement and vegetation.
By blending these ideas, the final concept balances function, culture, and form. It’s not just a farm—it’s a living structure that grows, breathes, and interacts with its environment.

Project description

The vertical farm is strategically located near a river, offering direct access to freshwater resources and enabling the implementation of sustainable growing systems. In this context, the aquaponic method is employed, combining aquaculture and hydroponics in a closed-loop system. An integrated aquarium not only supports this process biologically but also serves as an engaging visual and educational element within the space.
The project is envisioned as a multifunctional complex that merges agricultural production with commercial activity and residential accommodation. The basement level hosts the technical and economic zones, including storage spaces, service areas, an underground logistics courtyard, and parking for up to 150 vehicles. This level also features a separate circulation core that connects only to the commercial floors to ensure hygienic separation from the farming areas. The ground and first floors function as a public commercial zone. These levels include a fresh produce market, various retail units, and food and beverage venues such as cafés and restaurants. This integration of commerce activates the public realm and connects the local community to the farming process in a tangible way. On the second floor, administrative offices are placed for the operational management of the farm, consisting of open workspaces, meeting rooms, and access to a relaxing outdoor terrace. From the third to the fifteenth floor, the building is entirely dedicated to vertical agriculture. Each level specializes in different types of cultivation, including strawberries, berries, potatoes, herbs, leafy greens, legumes, and grains. The uppermost farming floors are designed for animal-based production, specifically poultry and Japanese quail, managed under controlled environmental conditions. Above the agricultural zone, from the sixteenth to the nineteenth floor, the function shifts to residential use in the form of a hotel. This addition supports educational activities in agriculture, offering short-term and long-term accommodation for students and visiting experts. The first hotel level includes a reception area, lounge, game zone, and an aperitif bar, while the upper levels contain guest rooms.
This vertical layering of diverse programs—agricultural, commercial, educational, and residential—creates a dynamic and sustainable ecosystem. The building transcends its role as a simple production space, becoming a living urban landmark that embodies innovation, ecology, and community engagement.

Technical information

The structural system of the vertical farm is based on reinforced concrete columns and beams, providing the necessary stability and support for the overall mass of the building. What sets this project apart from conventional structural solutions is the presence of a continuous external spiral that wraps around the entire height of the building. This spiral serves not only as a circulation and green corridor but also as a prominent architectural element. To accommodate its unique form and dynamic geometry, the spiral is constructed from lightweight steel, carefully chosen to reduce load while allowing flexibility in shaping. The steel structure is supported by a series of steel trusses that connect to the main concrete columns of the building. These trusses vary in length depending on the degree of the spiral’s offset from the main structure, ensuring precise support across different levels. The hybrid system—concrete for the core structure and steel for the spiral—creates a balance between strength, lightness, and formal expressiveness, reinforcing the identity of the vertical farm as both a functional and symbolic structure.

Documentation

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