LED Architecture’s LINK Solar Power Skyscraper Will Revitalize Polluted Areas of Venice

The <a href="http://www.archdaily.com/216810/link-solar-power-skyscraper-led-architecture-studio/">Link Solar Power Skyscraper</a> from <a href="http://www.ledarchitecturestudio.com/projects/51.html">LED Architecture</a> is an ambitious proposal for a sustainable revitalization of the downtrodden industrial town of <a title="Enel Opens World’s First Hydrogen-Driven Power Plant" href="http://inhabitat.com/enel-opens-worlds-first-hydrogen-driven-power-plant/">Marghera</a>. Sitting just a short distance from the historic town of Venice, Marghera is considered to be the most polluted area of Italy. But with the introduction of a sleek skyscraper as the new development's centerpiece, the Italian architecture firm believes the project to be dual purpose architecture and infrastructure — providing energy-saving methods alongside energy generating technology, with green space and additional structures to serve the community.

The ingenious Link Solar Power Skyscraper itself will serve a number of functions. While providing an administrative center for the Venice and Veneto areas, it will house a number of energy generating functions. With a foundation which will provide a <a title="US’s Largest Net Zero School Welcomes Students in Irving, Texas" href="http://inhabitat.com/uss-largest-net-zero-school-welcomes-students-in-irving-texas/">geothermal</a> energy source, the top of the tower will receive additional energy-generating sunlight from sun-tracking mirrors placed in newly-created surrounding parks. A breathable skin will encapsulate the building, containing the structure while working with the natural ventilation potential of LinkSPS's coastal location. Images © <a href="http://www.ledarchitecturestudio.com/projects/51.html">LED Architecture</a>

With the multitude of energy-generating technologies utilized, LED Architecture intend for the building to be "energetically self-sufficient" with no <a title="HOK’s Net Zero “Battery Park” for San Francisco Has an Algae Facade" href="http://inhabitat.com/hoks-net-zero-battery-park-for-san-francisco-has-an-algae-facade/">CO2 emissions</a>.

<a title="Maison Container Lille is a Bold Industrial Home Made of 8 Shipping Containers in France" href="http://inhabitat.com/bold-industrial-home-built-with-8-shipping-containers-in-lille-france/">Container</a>-like structures would be placed along the connection between Marghera and Venice

These structures are proposed to provide student housing, a library, space for existing maritime services, a promenade and a connection to a new Central Train Station for Venice.

Minimal and starkly modern, LED Architecture proposes that these structures would hold <a title="LTL Architects Transforms an Old Theater Into an Illuminated Art House" href="http://inhabitat.com/ltl-architects-transforms-and-old-theater-into-an-illuminated-art-house/">LED screen</a> facades which could be used, they suggest "recreate the <em>Gran Canal </em>spatial definition through the representation of ancient Venetian archetypes, defining a link with the preexisting city." Illustrations for the development also suggest that somewhat less classical soccer matches and coca-cola could also be shown on the buildings expansive screens.

The proposal stands far apart from the common public perception of <a title="Incredible Big Bambú Tower Sprouts at the edge of Venice’s Grand Canal" href="http://inhabitat.com/big-bambu-organic-tower-grows-at-the-edge-of-venices-grand-canal/">Venice</a>, yet it does offer a multi-faceted approach for making a more social, productive space connected to the historic city, with ambitious eco-friendly goals integral to the development.

While some might scoff at such minimal modernity in a treasured location, the architects are careful to <a href="http://www.ledarchitecturestudio.com/projects/51.html">note </a>"LinkSPS is not to be considered as a new door to the ancient city of Venice. It is an urban fluid system. LinkSPS enables the new area to be connected internally and to also connect itself to the other European cities. LinkSPS expands the limits of Venice."