URBAN TREE: Floating Solar Mega Cubes in the Sky

The <a href="http://www.evolo.us/architecture/urban-tree-is-an-innovative-sustainable-housing-project-geotectura/#more-6294">Urban Tree</a> is a skyscraper composed of a series of "floating" cubes clustered together and sprouting from steel "stems." Designed by green architecture firm <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2009/03/25/geotecturas-airchitecture-flying-buildings/">Geotectura</a>, the futuristic building would feature greenhouse platforms at every level and be clad in photovoltaic panels all around in order to collect solar energy. While adding much useful space and an impactful silhouette to a city skyline, the building's tree-like design allows it to keep a relatively minimal footprint on the ground.

Aside from looking cool, the main purpose of using cubes in the building's design was so that each unit could be modular and flexible.

Cubes can be varied in size and function in order to maximize views and air flow.

"This concept of a two helicoid <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/prefab-housing">prefabricated</a> infrastructure is like growing an urban tree that improves the dwellers’ quality of life while living in the sky," say <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2008/04/10/sunhope-solar-balloons/">Geotectura</a> of the design.

The <a href="http://www.geotectura.com/New/geotectura.htm">Urban Tree project</a>, like all of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2007/05/11/metropolis%e2%80%99-next-generation-i-rise/">Geotectura's other works</a>, incorporates their PV4All planning paradigm.

As such the exterior of each mega cube is wrapped in <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/solar-power">photovoltaic cells </a>to collect solar energy for the building's use.

A scale model of the Urban Tree.