A living, breathing skyscraper towers across the skyline in the Kai Tak area of Kowloon, Hong Kong. Designed by Midori Architects, the SkyHive Skyscraper, otherwise known as the Aero Hive, seamlessly works nature into the physical aspects of a mixed-use office complex.

Creating a breathing building requires more than a twist here and an atrium there, of course. To capture all of the natural elements key to sustainable design, the architects also had to consider the buildings’ respective orientations. In addition to taking advantage of natural winds and building in shade, the buildings are positioned to avoid direct solar heat. The design also reduces glare into the office spaces.
The top of the skyscraper defies the traditional architectural design typically used to house heating, cooling, and electrical systems. Instead, the SkyHive offers an expansive green space on each tower. Working to be part of the solution for the effects of a high-density area that contributes to air pollution, the gardens here further enhance the living design in an area where tropical heat directly contributes to a reduction in air quality. The public green observatory filters pollutants and carbon dioxide while producing oxygen for the building and surrounding area. Plus, it’s a lot more pleasing to look at than massive air conditioning units.
In an interview with Frank Scott from DesignPRWire, Acharya discussed the challenges of working sustainable design into a building thought t...