Design studio Oxman has devised a system called "ecological programming" to optimise green architecture, which it has demonstrated through a conceptual skyscraper with multiple planted platforms.
Called Eden Tower, the conceptual structure was designed to illustrate Oxman's computational abilities, formulated in the studio's freshly opened Foster + Partners-designed lab in Manhattan.
Renderings and models of the structure show a series of stacked circles with a central core supporting some of the levels directly, with others being suspended from columns that ring the edge of the stacks.
Top: Oxman has designed a conceptual skyscraper. Image by VA-Arts. It has concentric platforms for hosting ecosystems. Photo by Phillip Le
Each level would have a different topography and landscape, with some open air and other featuring enclosed glass spaces for human habitation. According to Oxman founder Neri Oxman, the structure is a demonstration of a technique the studio calls "ecological programming".
Ecological programming utilises computation to generate layouts accounting for sunlight, wind, contamination and other factors in order to optimise the health of the ecosystems and positive benefits to the city ? from increasing biodiversity to improving urban heat.
AI used to create "building forms that increase biodiversity"
"We are figuring out how to create master plans, building layouts, and building forms that increase biodiversity and resilience ...