Although not conceptually new, vertical farming has been receiving a lot of attention recently. Understandably so, as countries like China surpass one billion in population and pack themselves into urban centers like sardines. The way we produce and distribute food around the globe is in need of re-evaluation since burning fossil fuels and relying on petroleum-based transportation is no longer a practical option. Trying to find a feasible solution is the ultimate challenge for urban planners around the globe.

Israeli architecture and design firm Knafo Kilkmor Architects, has come up with aesthetically pleasing mock-ups of their version of vertical farming - Agro-Housing - that incorporates greenhouses into high-rise residential housing developments. Apartments are located on each side of the building with multi-story greenhouse gardens running through the middle for growing fruits, vegetables and flowers. Innovative building designs of this nature create the opportunity to produce food not only for tenants but also members of the surrounding community.

According to Knafo Kilkmor Architects, Agro-Housing is intended to “create a close-to-home space where families can produce their own food supply according to their abilities and choices. This will allow the citizens more independence, freedom, and additional income.”

Design plans for the building also include rooftop green space, use of active and passive solar energy, rainwater harvesting, grey water irrigation, communal space and shading and ventilation.

Is this the future of food and humanity? Does this all seem very Pauly Shore and Bio Dome to you? With a rapidly increasing global population and steadily declining food sources, this might be much more of a reality than you may think.

Related Post: The Vertical Farming Project