Imagine Living: Vertical Farming Integrated Living for the Future at Dhaka, Bangladesh | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing

Site Context

A site was selected for a prototype in this experiment. The 1338 square metre site is in Purbachal, Dhaka, Bangladesh, and is intended to be a residential area in the future along with commercial and educational zones. A maximum ground coverage of 50% and a floor area ratio of 2.8 are permitted by the building code. A 10-story apartment complex is intended to serve as the prototype. Such a location is advantageous to the project because Purbachal is intended to be a future Dhaka expansion. 

The site was selected as a means to create this system. Initially a site environment study is carried out to determine radiation levels according to the location. The effects of the radiation on the four axial faces are observed using a “control model.” The modularity of the project stems from its prototype design, which is intended to be replicated and rearranged to accommodate varying site locations and sizes. The application of this farming module-focused design system is intended for both smaller and larger scales of apartment living.

Design Process

Any type of food production needs to be based on a community-driven and strengthened culture. The south, east, and west facades of this site are the most conducive to farming, as demonstrated by the simulation of the control model. To accommodate farming units and ensure that each unit has enough light, the mass is further divided. Using a 4.5 m by 4.5 m grid, a number of 2- and 3-bedroom duplex units were arranged with pockets of communal gathering spaces designed to promote food sharing amongst families. To establish a “farm-to-table” connection, the farming units (shown in green) are positioned beside dining areas. Therefore, farming units (food production space) are adjacent to the dining area (food consumption space), which in turn is adjacent to the kitchen. All modulations of the units, changing on each floor, follow the same system.

Since each facade module is visible from the units next to it, the building is designed to promote visual connectivity and foster deeper levels of interaction. The farming module is made of a timber frame and is prefabricated. The grow beds that are fixed to the frame are movable and adjustable, and its use is flexible. The entire building form is designed from the outside to inside.

Final Outcome

The apartment layouts were determined based on the positions of the farming modules and the modular grid. Next, a system that showcased how the arrangement of apartment dwelling units could be stacked to form the entire building was created. The units form a new kind of building design system where the farming units and modular spaces come together to form a community, all shifting in accordance with the strategy that has been developed.

 The modular process preserves the system’s emphasis on food production through vertical farming units while enabling the building to grow organically. The farming areas themselves are also flexible. Depending on the season and lighting, they can be used to grow a variety of crops. A space on the ground floor is available for use by nearby families to host weekend markets. The overall goal of the project is to provide inspiration for a future in which food production and urban living coexist in order to support a growing population.

Conclusion: The project presents an innovative approach to addressing the global food crisis through architectural design. By integrating vertical farming within urban housing, the project proposes a sustainable, modular, and flexible system that redefines the relationship between humans and food production. The project envisions a future where urban living spaces are self-sufficient and harmoniously connected to nature, paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable urban environment.

[This Academic Project has been published with text submitted by the student]