COCOON
COCOON
An exercise on traditional manufacturing processes
MAGNIGYING GLASS
An exercise on traditional manufacturing processes
MAGNIGYING GLASS
Tinkerer, Engineer, Designer
Agroblocks
Re-imagining the Building Blocks of New York City
SINY 134: The Urban Home Project
(Fall 2017)
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Rendering by Eleni Alexandraki
The Reality of Living in New York City
Living in New York City can be difficult. The experience inspired me to develop an architectural concept addresses the lack of affordable housing in major cities. Agroblocks is a nature-inspired network of structures that serve as vertical farms and residences. By immersing residences within a vertical farm setting, we can offer tenants an escape from the artificiality of a “concrete jungle”. Combining residential spaces with farming can lead to a sustainable and profitable closed loop living model where farm profits can be used as a subsidy to decrease rent rates.
Rendering by Eleni Alexandraki (with publicly available icons)
The Manhattan Grid Re-imagined
The famous Manhattan Grid Manhattan is a rectilinear pattern of streets and avenues. To develop a more dynamic living environment, outside of the already established grid, I propose a more organic grid formation inspired by the intricate geometric nature of bubble formations.
Rendering by Eleni Alexandraki
Massing
The primary floor plan of the Agroblocks structures derives organically from the grid itself. Each floor is slightly smaller than the previous one and rotated by 10 degrees to create balconies and other open spaces for plantations, ultimately creating the layered pattern shown on the illustration.
Rendering by Eleni Alexandraki
Bridges and Recreational Bubbles
After a series of experimentations, I developed an elegant bridge system that links the structures together. These bridges serve as open-air planation and agricultural spaces and provide the ideal setting for a promenade immersed in nature. In between the residential/ farm structures, one can find smaller “bubbles” that serve as community and recreational spaces. From restaurants offering dishes prepared with local produce to culinary classes, bakeries, and small shops, the Agroblocks Experience creates a self-sufficient ecosystem that offers residents anything they might need.
Rendering by Eleni Alexandraki
The Structure
The core of the building is a centrally located cylindrical concrete structure that serves as a skylight, allowing for sunlight to enter the interior spaces. There is an equal distribution of farming and residential spaces. The residential spaces are strategically located to allow for tenant access to the terrace spaces. Each floor is divided into four segments, each one serving as a separate living unit. While the top floors guarantee a better view, there is a slight compromise in terms of size.
Rendering by Eleni Alexandraki
Structural System
The structural system of the building relies on a radial array of reinforced concrete columns, which are a maximum of 10 feet apart from each other.
Rendering by Eleni Alexandraki
The Water Network
The Agroblocks complex is equipped to deal with sea level rise issues and is designed to take advantage of the surrounding sea-water to create a water supply network for the farms and residences.
Rendering by Eleni Alexandraki
Rendering by Eleni Alexandraki
The Farm
The farms are designed to produce seasonal ingredients in addition to the vegetable "classics".
