Vertical Farm

University of Prishtina

Project idea

Our concept is developed through these four key points:
1. CALLING ON AGRICULTURE TRADITIONS OF GJAKOVA
Where are the fields and the bushes? - asks one of the most preeminent Albanian artists, Muharrem Qena, in one of the greatest songs of our country’s culture.
Gjakova, now an erratically modernizing city while at the same time ordinary, worn-down and polluted, has once been a great land of agriculture. During the last few years, as a consequence of an influx of returning refugees after the war, and new inhabitants coming every day from each part of the country, Gjakova has become a land of urban chaos, filled with high-rise buildings in no order, all built on farmland. The result was a random spread and development of the city, causing serious functional and structural problems for the future.
Within the latest few years, the population has doubled and it is increasing progressively, leading to an expansion of the city’s area. Gjakova now is conceptualized as a post-conflict city, a designation that has emerged in various studies of urban planning (Vöckler, 2008). Since buildings have now taken place in the former harvesting fields and farmlands, the city is becoming more and more polluted, always in lack of green areas. In the last years, Gjakova has been one of the most polluted cities around the country.
Being inspired by the wonderful agriculture traditions of Gjakova, we have decided to take Gjakova back to when it used to be a farmland city, a hundred years ago. By adding pieces of the pure old Gjakova, we will now be looking at the future of the city’s past.
2. INCLUSION AND HARMONY WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Our goal is to save existing greenery and the relationship of the object to the location. We will achieve that through pavilions which will contain different functions.
3. WOOD AS CONSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL AND INTEGRAL PART OF FACADE
Before the fact that we lack a physical and mental connection with nature, through this project we will be able to promote reasons to link again to the life cycle of our environment.
According to the architects, the 21st century announces the beginning of the wood epoke. It is valued as from sustainability, quality, and speed of construction. Wood has considerable advantages in comparison with steel, concrete, or other mass constructions such as environmental credits, construction speed, weight but also his use as an integral part of the facade.
Gjakova now is an assembly of steel, concrete, and glass. Therefore, we consider that if we walk by and unexpectedly we see a building by wood and hanging plants, it would create an interesting contrast.
The natural warm view of wood and plants growing in the façade brings the building to life and that can be a model for environmentally friendly developments and sustainable extensions of the urban landscape in Gjakova.
4. MODULAR ARCHITECTURE & REFERENCES
Our concept is based on a modular architecture, where the object form is accessed through replacement a module starting from pavilions on the ground floor to finish on the last floor of the vertical farm. For the development of this concept, we are referred to architects of the past, but also the revolutionary minds of contemporary architects of our time. Among them, worth mentioning are Moshe Safdie, Kisho Kurogawa, Shigeru Ban, Sou Fujimoto, etc.

Project description

Seeing the rapid developments taking place in the city of Gjakova, and the conquest of much of the agricultural land, we find it essential that through architecture to create a call for the protection of these lands. Therefore, we argue that this building is one of the best solutions for restoring a lost tradition.

Technical information

The building in question is a building which in itself contains various functions.
In-depth analysis of the site we will highlight greenery as one of the main features of this area. Therefore, on the ground floor, we have tried to create a vibrancy through various pavilions and connect the building with the surrounding greenery just through these pavilions. They will contain playgrounds for children or information areas for the vertical farm and growing plants. Both externally and internally, the facility will maintain a warm appearance using wood as a staple.
The ground floor and first floor will be used as a shopping mall which will contain various functions such as business premises, services, restaurants, and cafés which are located in duplex, and it is worth mentioning the green market which will be supplied all of the fruits and vegetables grown on the farm.
Like visitors, but also administrative workers, they will have the opportunity to use the roof for various activities. Resting spaces are provided for both parties, also interaction spaces, lunch spaces, reading spaces, etc., but there is also the opportunity to descend into the duplex restaurants and café areas.
The vertical farm will be the most attractive part of the building. Along with the gallery which is open to the top floor, we will have hanging plants at every turn. From the ground floor, it is possible to climb through the panoramic elevators to the top floor, and during the climb, all products will be seen. On each floor, there are changing rooms, where visitors will wear white cloaks, glasses and other safety gear, and watch closely for plant growth.

Co-authors

Edmond Drenogllava, Erona Bexheti