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London Tower Farm-Xome ArquitectosBusy little <a href="http://inhabitat.com/london-without-bees-conceptual-towers-shoot-pollen-spores-into-the-wind/">London bees</a> might love a chance to live in this green building set alongside the Thames and the London bridge, but it's actually meant for humans. Covered in foliage, this honeycomb tower is part <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/vertical-farm">vertical farm</a> and part residential building combined to create a mini eco system. Fully self-sufficient, the London Tower Farm proposal by Mexican firm <a href="http://www.xomearquitectos.com/" target="_blank">Xome Arquitectos</a> collects its own rainwater, generates energy, and grows food for residents in the center of the building.1
London Tower Farm-Xome ArquitectosXome Arquitectos began their design based on the premise that by 2050 more than 70% of the world's population will live in an urban environment.2
London Tower Farm-Xome ArquitectosIf this comes to fruition as expected, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/vertical-farm">vertical farming</a> will become a necessary strategy to feed urban residents.3
London Tower Farm-Xome ArquitectosXome also wanted to design a place where people could participate in multiple activities like shopping, working, living and recreation.4
London Tower Farm-Xome ArquitectosTheir proposal for the London Tower Farm, through the <a href="http://www.awrcompetitions.com/competition/2/loft-london-farm-tower#" target="_blank">LOFT AWR 2011 design competition</a>, is a honeycomb-like tower with apartments around the perimeter and growing levels in the center.5
London Tower Farm-Xome ArquitectosThe tower's facade was based on the strategy of carbon, life's building block with the atomic number of 6.6
London Tower Farm-Xome ArquitectosThe building's basic block is a hexagon that is repeated up the tower and serves as the apartments' windows to the world.7
London Tower Farm-Xome ArquitectosProposed location of the London Tower Farm.8
London Tower Farm-Xome Arquitectos<a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/energy">Renewable energy systems</a> of the roof generate power for the building, while rainwater is collected and used for hydroponics, showers and toilets.9
London Tower Farm-Xome ArquitectosFood is grown in the center of the tower, so residents can easily access the growing areas and be a part of the farm.10
