

vincent callebaut devises smart-towers for the future of paris

image © vincent callebaut architectures

following a climate energy plan that aims to reduce 75% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, vincent callebaut architectures has undertaken a research and development project that examines the role of high-rise architecture. the proposal, titled ‘2050 paris smart city’, presents eight different green tower typologies that each integrate elements of nature and renewable energy within the metropolis’ dense urban fabric. the study was carried out for paris city hall in collaboration with engineers setec bâtiment. read on for more information on each of the eight designs.

mountain towers



‘mountain towers’ involves the construction of bioclimatic peaks

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located on paris’ famous commercial street, rue de rivoli, the ‘mountain towers’ project involves the construction of bioclimatic peaks that integrate a variety of renewable energies with the road’s existing structures. the positive energy towers will vertically triple the housing in each parisian block by distributing the structural loads through the old ducts of blocked chimneys.

three types of renewable energies will be available in each tower: during the day, two huge photovoltaic and thermal solar shields will produce electricity and hot water. at night, a reversible hydro-electrical pumped storage station will let an urban cascade flow out from the top of the tower, preventing the need for batteries to store the electricity produced. finally, the garden balconies will surround the inhabited storeys and filter in clean recycled water rejected by the inhabitants by phyto-purification and bio-composting.

antismog towers



the ‘antismog towers’ will produce electricity through the integration of axial wind turbines

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conceived as a 23 kilometer corridor running across central paris, the second typology plans to re-naturalize paris’ disused railway lines as public green space. cycle paths and urban vegetable gardens will be implemented vertically around a series of cyclonic towers, designed to filter the atmospheric smog. energetically, these structures will produce electricity through the integration of axial wind turbines and photovoltaic flexible textiles.

photosynthesis towers



the ‘photosynthesis towers’ involve the integration of green algae bioreactors

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in 1975, three years after the completion of the much-derided montparnasse tower, authorities in paris decided to forbid the construction of any building over seven storeys. in an attempt to convert the existing building into a vertical park, the ‘photosynthesis towers’ project involves the integration of green algae bioreactors to generate positive energy. within the triangular openings located at both extremities of the tower, public elevators with renewable energy will be separate visitor routes from the staff working in the building’s offices. the adjacent slab-roof of the shopping mall will be transformed into a phyto-purification lagoon, recycling the structure’s greywater.

bamboo nest towers



‘bamboo nest towers’ aims to reappropriate the thirteen edifices found in paris’ massena area

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the fourth typology sees thermodynamic garden towers wrapped in a bamboo bio-mesh of vertical food gardens. the ‘bamboo nest towers’ aims to reappropriate the thirteen highrise structures found in paris’ massena district by enveloping them in an exoskeleton of woven bamboo. conceived an ecological 3D canvas, the structure will support individual vegetable gardens, while ensuring that maximum wind power is generated.

honeycomb towers



the ‘honeycomb towers’ double the height of the city’s existing residences

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in order to increase potential living accommodation in central paris, the ‘honeycomb towers’ double the height of the city’s existing residences. these new interlocking mini-homes are supported by a steel structure that places the loads vertically through the existing chimney ducts. roofs will be covered by thermal and photovoltaic solar panels, that are also able to power the surrounding street lighting.

farmscraper towers



‘farmscraper towers’ comprises three connected structures

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seeking to repatriate the countryside, the sixth tower typology comprises three connected structures that each offer local food production. the densely populated towers also help provide the city with plentiful oxygen, while limiting the systematic use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

mangrove towers



‘mangrove towers’ references the shape and form of the distinctive tree

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as the name indicates, the design of ‘mangrove towers’ references the shape and form of the distinctive tree. to be built at paris’ busy gare du nord railway station, the structures will accommodate a mixed program of offices, hotels and housing dedicated to international and traveling customers. the station’s platforms will be full of piezoelectrical captors polarizing under the action of the mechanical constraints generated by its inhabitants. the tubular façades will be composed of grätzel cells forming a photo-electrochemical skin.

bridge towers



‘bridge towers’ is a set of twin structures that are perforated with wide funnels

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connecting the city’s east and west banks, the final typology is a set of twin towers that are perforated with wide funnels. the design uses the kinetic energy of the river below to generate power, ensuring positive energy. the inhabited bridge will meet the housing crisis of the city of paris by including a dense and mixed program of facilities. the dual structure seeks to reinforce the symbolism of the city through referring to a new form of urban and social innovation that emits zero carbon emission and zero waste.



a panoramic view of paris in 2050

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type 1 / mountain towers

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type 1 / mountain towers

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type 2 / antismog towers

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type 2 / antismog towers

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type 3 / photosynthesis towers

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type 3 / photosynthesis towers

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type 4 / bamboo nest towers

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type 4 / bamboo nest towers

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type 5 / honeycomb towers

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type 5 / honeycomb towers

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type 6 / farmscrapers towers

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type 6 / farmscrapers towers

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type 7 / mangrove towers

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type 7 / mangrove towers

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type 8 / bridge towers

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type 8 / bridge towers

image © vincent callebaut architectures full article here

project info:

type: architectural commission, ‘procédure adaptée’

international design architect: vincent callebaut architectures, paris

client: mairie de paris – paris city hall

program: 8 prototypes of positive energy towers eco-conceived to fight global warming

green engineering consultant: setec

VCA’s team: agnès martin, fabrice zaini, maguy delrieu, vincent callebaut