pleating glass facades enfold vertical farm in beijing by van bergen kolpa architects

van Bergen Kolpa Architects presents new innovation center

Vertical Farm Beijing by van Bergen Kolpa Architects presents China‘s inaugural innovation center dedicated to urban food production, developed for AgriGarden and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science CAAS. The architectural design showcases faceted glass facades, a prominent entrance hall, and functional stacking, providing a distinctive appearance for urban horticulture. The building prioritizes sustainability through water reuse, passive heat gain, and natural cooling methods, demonstrating a practical approach to urban food production.

Designed for innovation and education, the 3,500 sqm structure spans three floors and features various vertical cultivation methods surrounding a significant entrance hall. The educational route guides visitors through open-ground fruit and berry trees, automated vertical lettuce cultivation, fruit growth under LED light, and a rooftop greenhouse cultivating tomatoes and cucumbers in natural daylight.

building on the campus along the ring road | all images by Weiqi Jin

Vertical Farm Integrates Food Production into Urban Landscapes

Vertical Horticulture emerges as a solution to integrate food production into China’s vast metropolises efficiently. The building represents a new model for professional cultivation accessible to a broad audience, emphasizing the pivotal role of food in urban environments.

The sustainable use of water and energy is a key focus of the design by van Bergen Kolpa Architects. Water conservation is prioritized, with recycled and reused residual water from plant irrigation. The building’s climate control relies on natural ventilation and cooling through evaporation. Passive heat extraction from the sun and residual heat from LED lighting contribute to the heating system, emphasizing resource efficiency. The emphasis on practical design elements highlights the building’s commitment to sustainable and efficient urban food production.

faceted entrance facade in transparent glass

monumental entrance hall with stacked cultivation

sustainable climate control for various cultivation

urban horticulture and the city

open-ground fruit tree garden

first-floor entrance and exhibition area

second-floor vertical Farming of leafy vegetables

third-floor rooftop farming of fruity vegetables

automated vertical farming racks

three-story building for urban horticulture under combined daylight and LED lighting

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axonometric drawing

section of cultivation departments

construction details

project info:

name: Vertical Farm Beijing
architect: van Bergen Kolpa Architects | @vanbergenkolpaarchitects

client: AgriGarden

interior design: AgriGarden

construction and greenhouse design: Ammerlaan constructions, Hebucon

cultivation techniques: AgriGarden

location: Innovation Park Beijing, China

surface area: 3500 sqm

photography: Weiqi Jin

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom