It’s just that you won’t surprise anyone with tall buildings; champions appear every year. But the buildings, built in strict accordance with all the principles of environmentally friendly construction, are still a novelty. Our tips site tells you about Agora Garden Tower, the first eco-skyscraper built in Taipei.
The Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut developed the Agora Garden Tower project. His office won a tender in 2010, which was announced in Taipei (capital of Taiwan).
This project was aimed at realizing four environmental objectives stipulated by the Copenhagen Agreement:
- Reducing the risks of global warming;
- Biodiversity protection;
- Protection of nature and at the same time the quality of human life;
- Natural resource and waste management.
As a result, in January 2018, the building was built and became the first eco-skyscraper of our planet..
The skyscraper looks very unusual, the shape of the DNA spiral symbolizes life and dynamism. Each floor is rotated 4.5 degrees, resulting in a turn of just 90 degrees. The total surface area of the building is 50 thousand square meters. The building has only 20 floors, but what kind! With gardens. And the roof is occupied by solar panels. In addition, there is a rainwater collection system that is cleaned and used by the residents. Thanks to the efforts of the architect and builders, the building uses much less energy than buildings of similar height.
During the construction of the Agora Garden Tower, exclusively environmentally friendly materials were used, it was decided to give preference to materials obtained through recycling. Vertical gardening, of course, is not a novelty, the portal has already written about how whole gardens appear on the roofs of high-rise buildings in megalopolises. However, the tropical climate of Taiwan made it possible to use 100% vertical gardening, creating a harmonious symbiosis of where people live and nature. In total, over 23 thousand trees were planted.
The apartments in Agora Garden are quite large – 650 square meters. This is due to the fact that in Taiwan three generations of one family often live together, traditionally there are many children. The building has four high-speed elevators, a separate elevator for cars, parking, swimming pool, fitness center. External and internal rooms are connected by bay windows, there is a central core, where two staircases go.
There are compost spaces where waste is converted into organic fertilizer. Agora Garden residents can grow greens, vegetables and fruits on balconies that have been converted into gardens and vegetable gardens.
Agora Garden, which is also called “anti-smog skyscraper”, has no analogues yet. The Green Building Council of the United States has awarded it a LEED Gold + green certification. A Low Carbon Building Alliance dedicated to minimizing carbon emissions – Diamond level.
I’m curious to know what specific eco-friendly features make Agora Garden in Taipei stand out as an eco-skyscraper. Are there renewable energy sources incorporated or innovative waste management systems? How does it contribute to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability in the city?
Agora Garden in Taipei stands out as an eco-skyscraper due to its innovative design and eco-friendly features. One specific feature is the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines, which generate clean energy for the building. Additionally, the building incorporates an advanced waste management system, including waste segregation and recycling facilities. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels and promoting recycling, Agora Garden contributes to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability in the city. Its green spaces, including vertical gardens, help combat urban heat island effect and improve air quality. Overall, Agora Garden serves as a model for sustainable living and sets an example for other buildings in the city.