China and France to Build Algae-covered Eco-tower in Hangzhou

• 24 July 2018
• Construction Focus
• 3291 Views

A French-based company XTU Architects recently revealed a blueprint for the ‘FrenchDreamTowers’—a new mega project in the heart of Hangzhou City, China. The proposal represents the advanced technology of eco-friendly architecture and the strong relations between France and China.

The FrenchDreamTowers is unique for the usage of energy-efficient microalgae exteriors and the blockchain-monitored building systems (AI and IoT), following three main concepts: addressing issues in climate change, sustainable urban development and water security.

Located at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hangzhou West Lake, the project will comprise of four towers including a French Tech Hub, an Art Centre, an Haute Gastronomies, and a Hospitality Building, which will serve as hotels, French cuisine restaurants, offices, co-working spaces, digital clusters, art galleries and other amenities.

The FrenchDreamTowers is designed with an idealised fusion between humans and nature by combining Chinese history, haute-couture fashion and nature. Therefore, the shape of the buildings can be viewed in different ways such as a twisting towers recall, a woman’s dress on a runway, a roof of a temple, or a spathe of a lily.

Besides the creative outside look, the highlight feature of this building is the cultivation of micro-algae on the building’s façade in between the separate panes of glass. These micro-algae will function as the thermal control system within the building.

“The cultivation of micro-algae allows for a symbiosis: the bio-façade uses thermal materials to regulate the growing temperature of algae, which in turn contributes to the thermal regulation of the building,” said Anouk Legendre, cofounder of XTU Architects in Forbes.

The building will also be equipped with phytoremediation processes with an aquaponics systems embedded in the structure. The undulating roof at the base of the structures will serve as a basin for rainfall; while the plants grown near the rainwater pools will help remove contaminants from air and water.

Meanwhile, another advanced technology that makes this building unique is the blockchain support-network created by Hangzhou-based Gold Truffle Engineering, which is designed to manage the air quality, energy storage and the multitude of environmental systems interacting within the towers. This will be the first application of a massive internet-of-things superstructure designed to address the needs of future smart-cities.

Overall, FrenchDreamTowers represents more than great architecture, but a future where the boundaries between technology, culture and nature begin to blur.

Launched in Hangzhou in June, “FrenchDreamTowers” proposal is currently being reviewed.