The multifunctional complex Asian Cairns is supposed to be built in the city of Shenzhen in the south of the PRC. As Vincent Calbeau explains, this project is a response to the increasingly relevant topic of the vertical development of modern megacities. Inscribed in a perfect circle, the complex consists of six skyscrapers of different heights, between which a park is laid out.
Each high-rise, in turn, is formed by stacked on top of each other and slightly offset from the central axis of sections of rounded outlines, the silhouette and shape of which most resemble pebbles. Hence, in fact, the name Asian Cairns - the buildings in the form of cairns outwardly are very similar to the ancient monuments of the cairns.
The architect intends to make the frame of these elements from metal: each "pebble" is attached to the central rectangular tower, in which the elevators and stairs are located, as well as all the necessary engineering. The author calls this central axis a boulevard - and it really is not just elevator halls and stairs, but a complex system of public areas, moving along which it will be easy to get from one level of the building to another and just walk perfectly, admiring the panorama of Shenzhen.
Kalbo also came up with his own name for the skyscrapers themselves - farmscrapers, which can be translated as "farm scrapers". In other words, in each section, in addition to apartments or offices, not only recreational spaces are provided, decorated with a certain amount of living greenery, but also full-fledged gardens and greenhouses, which, according to the architect's plan, will be able to compensate for the lack of plants and oxygen in this part of the metropolis. And the bionic shape of the sections and their orientation to the cardinal points will make the buildings as energy efficient as possible.
The 100-meter residential tower called Agora Tower, which is planned to be built in the capital of Taiwan Taipei, also features a lot of greenery integrated into all levels of the residential complex. Interestingly, as in the case of Asian Cairns, the architect borrowed the shape of this building from nature: the building is supposed to be likened to the double helix of DNA. In fact, Calbeau "wraps" the two towers around the central core, in which all the necessary vertical communications are located.
Thus, the building has two residential wings, and their gradual 90-degree turn provides the complex with a dynamic silhouette that constantly changes depending on the angle. The first floor of the residential building is planned to be completely planted with trees in such a way that the shade from them provides a refreshing coolness to the swimming pool and fitness center located here, as well as underground parking. On the subsequent floors, significant areas have also been allocated for green spaces: in fact, the architect plans to use the outer perimeter of each level for gardens, organizing there not only cozy parks for recreation, but also small vegetable gardens for growing vegetables and fruits, as well as medicinal herbs.
As for the apartments themselves, their area will be 540 m2 and they will have the most free layout, devoid of any columns and bearing walls. This was achieved thanks to the structural scheme of the building invented by Calbeau: in addition to the central load-bearing core, the floors are connected along the outer edge with the help of spiral columns hidden behind vertical landscaping.
A. M.
