Vertical Farm Concept is a Green Gateway for Chicago

This towering eco high-rise offers a green gateway to the city of Chicago that includes a large <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/04/08/sea-based-vertical-skyscraper-farm-has-advantages-over-land-based/" target="_blank">vertical farm</a>, mixed-use towers, and a residential tower all tied together by a series of sky bridges. Envisioned by a student at the <a href="http://www.ctbuh.org/Research/DesignResearch/IIT/tabid/336/language/en-US/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Illinois Institute of Technology</a>, the project is located over Lake Shore Drive and was designed specifically for the location of the dormant <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2008/06/11/santiago-calatrava-chicago-spire/" target="_blank">Chicago Spire</a> site, otherwise known as the "Giant Hole in the Ground".

The Chicago Gateway would sit on the site of the dormant construction site of the Chicago Spire.

The design is composed of two mixed-use vertical towers and one leaning residential tower that are connected via a 'green podium'.

The 'green podium' contains a vertical hydroponic farm and a green garden roof.

The leaning tower has balconies for the residents, which would be planted with trees and other vegetation.

The hydroponic farm grows vegetables and herbs in mechanized hanging baskets.

Sky bridges connect the towers to each other as well as to other nearby towers.

The towers could be built independently over time.

The public can walk through the residential towers to the hydroponic farm and around to the network of sky bridges.

At ground level, the towers bridge over the road gap and the area around would be landscaped to create a new park.

At lower levels, the vertical towers are offices and the slanted tower has individual residences.

The hydroponic farm features growing facilities as well as public amenities.

Above the farm are more residences and office space.

Schematic of the hydroponic farm mechanisms.