The UHC is thought as a compact but porous block, in order to integrate itself into New York urban context,
concurrently preserving its formal and aesthetic individuality.
The building is made up of a 3 level block, characterized by concrete walls and silk-screen printed glass,
and 2 separated overlapping blocks with houses and cultivation areas.
The building is completely clad with an hydroponic brise-soleil envelope: this façade is made of recycled
aluminium bars containing a vertical hydroponic cultivation system, so we combine the bioclimatic control
with a cultivation system of small vegetables.
The UHC is composed of public functions located in the first 4 loors between the ground level and the high line level, residential functions and productive functions, located separately in the higher levels.
The two main public functions are the organic foods market and the botanical garden, planned in order to make the building attractive for different targets of users.
The productive area is located in the south block and is composed by four levels: each one is organized in order to accommodate different breeding and farming activities.