Skyfarm
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners ‘Skyfarm’ is intended to combat global food shortages.
The bamboo-lined vertical ‘farm’ was created as a research project for the 2015 Milan Expo, and is intended to be located in urban areas where there is insufficient land or poor-quality soil.
The multi-storey tower structure has a rigid circular frame to maximise sun exposure and supports several layers of agricultural cultivation, as well as an aquaponics system. This enables the growth of crops and fish in a re-circulating process, meaning nutrients from fish waste feeds plants that in turn provide filters for the fish.
At ground level there is a market or restaurant to engage public interest, and an education space or social hub where all the growing parts of the tower are visible.
Above this is a large transparent tank where freshwater fish are farmed. In the middle of the structure, plants are grown in water rather than soil. An ‘aeroponic’ system sits nearer the top where plants are grown in a misty environment using minimal water and no soil. The very top of the tower houses water tanks and wind turbines.
The practice says, should the tower ever be built, it could be ‘easily scaled’ and a 10m high version could be constructed in a school, or an 80m version built in a larger urban area. It could also be adapted to warmer or colder climates. The upfront costs of Skyfarm are higher than standard industrial agriculture, but the structure allows year round production without air-freighting produce from other countries.
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners said: “By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the earth’s population will reside in urban centres. Over the same period of time, the earth’s population is expected to grow by an additional 3 billion people. If we continue to use traditional farming practices, it is believed that an area of land larger than Brazil will be needed to feed these additional people.”
Skyfarm has been awarded the Sustainability Prize at The Architectural Review MIPIM Future Projects Awards 2016.
Vertical farms have been planned in Seoul, Singapore and New Jersey.
Images and information courtesy of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
--RSHP
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Centre Pompidou.
- Community energy network.
- Cooling tower design and construction.
- District energy networks.
- Engineered bamboo.
- Hex House project.
- Leadenhall Building.
- Lloyds of London.
- McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford.
- One Hyde Park.
- RB12, Rio de Janeiro.
- Renewable energy.
- Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.
- Sustainability.
- The Mile.
- Y Cube.
Featured articles and news
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.