CTBUH 2012 design competition

council on tall buildings and urban habitat

CTBUH 2012 Design Competition SMOGLESSITY

SMOGLESSITY proposes a community that aims to eliminate smog from ever becoming a health risk for its resident again. Toronto Public Health estimates that 1,700 Toronto residents die prematurely each year due to air pollution (groundlevel ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and sulphates). Another 6,000 Toronto residents are admitted to hospitals due to air pollution. Every day, new towers are populating the skyline of Toronto yet none are targeting this pressing issue. Architecture can play a strong role in mitigating environmental concerns, that is the motivation behind

SMOGLESSITY.

The form of the building has been greatly influenced by wind pattern and trajectory.

In Toronto Island winds tend to move in an eastward direction, hence the building faces west so that the columns can support the wind load. The facade also directs the wind in an upward direction which benefits for air circulation for vegetation.

pollutants absorbed to surface coating

NOx other VOCs

reaction with UV light breaks down pollutants

pollutants

atmospheric carbon fixing VERTICAL FARMING

The facade of the building includes a compound that reduces the pollutants in smog by absorbing it onto the surface.

It incorporates both anatase and rutile photocatylic chemistries to trigger advanced oxidation. The by-product is CO2 and water.

The building captures rainwater and reuses it on site for irrigation and flushing toilets. This greatly reduces the amonut of water consumed b its residents.

In addition, water is taken from the lake and filtrated, percolated and discharged back into the lake in a remediation process.

The facade is designed to maximize the amount of natural light the building receives. In addition, the sections that are designed for vertical farming are inset to allow even more sunlight to penetrate

The facade also directs the wind in an upward direction which benefits for air circulation for vegetation.

VERTICAL FARMING In order to improve the conditions that the city is in, the concept of vertical farms is put in place, where plants are GROWN LOCALLY, and cultivated to reduce the amount of overall smog. The produce will supply the local needs and introduce a sustainable way-of-living and nurther stewardship for their community.

ALGAE FARMS Additionally, algae has the ability to absorb both CO2 and pharmaceutical chemicals, which are often discarded in wastewater, and can’t be treated by conventional sewage treatment plants.

connection with public transit systems

pedestrian and vehical accessibility to the community

downtown core revitalization

integration with waterfront redevelopment

connection with city centre island airport