New York City Farm Tower International Architectural Competition - 2015

Cook Vertical Street – Concept and Project Type: Mixed-use residential, agricultural, and commercial building Objective: Redevelopment of a degraded urban area, creating continuity with the High Line and integrating residential, agricultural, and public spaces. 1. Architectural Concept The project is based on the composition of overlapping parallelepipeds, which define a simple yet complex volume: Central parallelepiped: parallel to the green, vertical High Line, it serves as a hub for connections and technological systems. Secondary parallelepipeds: positioned vertically to the High Line, they penetrate the main structure, concentrating the required functions: residential, services, and agricultural activities. This solution respects the rigidity and repetitiveness of the existing volumes in the area, maximizing the permitted volume without introducing random or dramatic shapes. The building thus becomes an orderly and rigorous element, capable of giving the area a new identity. 2. Connections and shared spaces An elevated walkway connects the building to the High Line, creating continuity between the greenway and the designed space. A shared outdoor area hosts cultural and educational activities, as well as a café, with direct access to the lower floors, either through the retail area or down to street level. The floors above the former railway are divided into two separate blocks, with independent entrances to accommodate the different functions. 3. Functional Distribution South/West/East Exposure: Agricultural Units West/North/East Exposure: Residential Roof: Solar Collectors and Rainwater Collection Cistern 4. Materials and Finishes Residential: Smoothed exposed reinforced concrete ("purity"), highlighting the essential and constructive aspect Agriculture/Workshops: Iroko plank cladding and steel structures with transparent or translucent glass panes, reminiscent of traditional greenhouses and sheds Load-bearing Structure: Central Reinforced Concrete Core, Completed with Three-Dimensional Steel Elements for the Agricultural Section Floors: Corrugated Sheet Metal and Orsogril Grating Vertical Green Connection: A Common Thread Integrating Residential and Agricultural Green Spaces 5. Residential, Agricultural, and Productive Integration The project combines residential, commercial, and productive spaces, promoting an integrated agricultural supply chain: Poultry Farming Traditional and Mixed Crops (Soil and perlite) Soilless cultivation with Nutrient Film Technique and Floating System (NFT and FS) Value-added aquaculture Poultry farm waste becomes a natural fertilizer for crops, while agricultural waste supplements poultry feed, creating a closed and sustainable production cycle. 6. Sustainability and energy resources Ample solar exposure for all production and residential units Rainwater collection and storage for irrigation and internal use Photovoltaic power plant for electricity generation Use of durable materials and efficient technologies to ensure long-term sustainability 7. Expected results Creation of a rigorous and legible building, in harmony with the urban context Redevelopment of a degraded area, with a new identity and accessible public spaces Functional integration between residential, agricultural production, and commercial activities Environmental sustainability and optimization of local resources