Photosynthetic City: A Vision of Sustainable Urban Living

Industrial Design College of LAFA's Innovative Approach to Urban Energy

The Photosynthetic City was inspired by the energy structure of Singapore's Gardens by the Bay, a marvel of sustainable design that maintains its energy consumption at the same level as a large shopping mall through the use of solar and biomass energy. The Industrial Design College of LAFA team saw the potential in applying a similar energy structure to urban environments, resulting in the creation of a new type of energy structure for the future.

What sets the Photosynthetic City apart is its unique combination of solar energy and biomass. This energy structure is implanted into the city through building transformation, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources and alleviating environmental pressures. The design also incorporates a planting part, which not only sequesters carbon but also purifies the air and reduces noise, contributing to a healthier community environment.

The Photosynthetic City is realized through the use of steel frames and solar panels for the solar power generation device, while the planting part of the building is made from recycled plastic injection molding. The design specifications include small and large solar installations and a planting module, all designed with precision and efficiency in mind.

The design team, comprised of Xue Wenkai, Du Heli, Li Yuankai, Xue Bomu, and Wang Xi, faced numerous challenges in the creation of the Photosynthetic City. Among them was the task of integrating the entire system with the original building and minimizing the cost of plant maintenance. The team's innovative solution was the creation of a planting module with holes on its surface, designed to drain excess water and collect it downwards, ensuring all plants receive the nutrients they need.

The Photosynthetic City project began in November 2022 and was completed in February 2023 at the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts. The project was underpinned by extensive research into current energy structures and the potential for replacing them with clean energy. The result is a system that is powered by sunlight and irrigated by rainwater, with the only waste product being the carbon dioxide originally absorbed by the plants.

The Photosynthetic City is more than just a design; it's a vision for a sustainable future. This innovative concept has been recognized with the Iron A' Sustainable Products, Projects and Green Design Award in 2023, a testament to its practicality, innovation, and potential to contribute to a better world.