URBAN PLANT tower would allow tenants to grow food year-round in a flourishing winter garden

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/tag/hydroponic-garden/" target="_blank">Hydroponic technology</a> has come a long way in a short time, so it's no surprise to see architects integrating growing systems into new projects. <a href="http://www.ddsao.com/" target="_blank"> D+DS architecture</a> is taking this idea to the green extreme with their new residential concept called URBAN PLANT. Designed to be a fully sustainable housing complex, the project envisions a living solution where tenants would be able to grow their own food year-round in a flourishing winter garden.

Located on the East River just north of the Manhattan Bridge, the Urban Plant building is currently a work in progress.

As the project is built upwards from the existing asphalt parking lot, the architects' vision of the 50-story-tower will be a full-cycle sustainable structure that not only provides a healthy environment for its own residents but also a positive impact on the local community and economy.

By reducing the carbon footprint and generating its own energy, the architects hope to "develop a stronger relationship between man and nature in a dense urban environment."

Urban Plant will include 400 apartments with communal spaces in the middle of the structure.

The project will have a and hydroponic winter garden on the rooftop.

According to the architects, the entire building will operate on renewable cycles of energy and water, as well as a fully functional renewable food cycle made possible by the hydroponic system.

The building will also be equipped with retail space as well as an orchard, ample green space, sport facilities, and bioswales.

Urban Plant will let residents grow and enjoy their own food.