Vertical Farms: Innovative teching strategy versus nearly zero energy buildings

The paper describes the experience made and results obtained during the experimental course Laboratory of Architecture and Structure at the University of Florence, in which the architecture process is explored including sustainable concepts versus Nearly Zero Energy Buildings, integrating renewable energies in high-rise buildings. The innovative approach was taken due to the fact that up to now, in most Architectural schools, projects are usually seen as a synergy of different competencies often not oriented toward efficient buildings. The synergy between different teachers and their specific knowledge has been very interesting in the development of a six-month course in which 75 students were involved. They produced a complex design in which technological aspects were investigated in an integrated approach as a language of design starting from the study of the climatic context. This should be one of the most diffused approach into architectural schools but normally requires different competencies and the effort has to be made first by a strong interaction through teachers. The course of 144 hours was divided in three sub-courses that in a synergic effort developed the following themes: structure, innovative technologies, design; the results are projects of a maximum height of 100 m, in which different functions – residential, commercial, administrative - are integrated and studied in connection with the public transport in Scandicci, near Florence. The educational approach and the synergies are all oriented versus a sustainable architecture of a Vertical Farm.