P i s t a c h i o

The innovative design of a grad school architect from the University of Waterloo got a lot of attention last month.

Gordon Graff and his Skyfarm design was given some international exposure by Davidson Despommier, the father of vertical farming, at the World Science Festival in New York City .

Despommier spoke on “Future Cities: Sustainable Solutions, Radical Designs,” and Graff’s piece illustrated the New York Times article that followed.

The third photo from the top is Graff’s uncredited building [a shame]. Here’s a better look thanks to Despommier’s design page from his site.

Vertical farming is the new tag for growing crops and raising livestock in urban areas, stacked skyscraper-style, where land is at a premium, and too many delivery trucks clog the streets. Graff’s Skyfarm gives new meaning to local food. He wants to dig his foundation in the financial district and raise his structure 58-storeys high.

I’ve always loved skyscrapers, even those aesthetically-challenged. Being in the sky is exciting, and approaching the city on a descent by plane or on the ground on a highway drive, the clustered metropolis ahead has always been a thrill.

I just adore a penthouse view, I guess.

The whole idea of vertical farming is more exciting than words can relay, and I’m going to expand on this story in the future, because I want to tell it and tell it again. There’s even a business case to relay.

But first, I wanted to put this out there.

Stephen Colbert had Despommier on as a guest that week, and apparently had some fun with him. As soon as I can locate the video, I’ll post.

Stay tuned for the joining of skyfarming and living in the same structure, and architectural lily-pads next week. Ever wanted to live on water, but not on a water vessel?