Luca Curci architects studio presents Vertical City, a project proposal for a vertical city-building settled in the water.

The project combines sustainability with population density and it aims to build up a zero-energy city-building.
Starting from the analyses of the contemporary skyscraper, conceived as a compact element, smooth and alienated from the surrounding space, the project has re-interpreted it in an opened structure, equipped with green areas on each level, natural light and ventilation. This new interpretation allows its residents to get into an healthier life-style, in connection with natural elements, re-thinking the traditional concept of community and society.

The building’s structure is based on a modular structural prefabricated element, which is repeatable horizontally as well as vertically. The singular shape of the structural element creates a 3-D network which sustains every single floor. The structure is surrounded by a membrane of photovoltaic glasses which provide electricity to the whole building and make it energy-independent, providing further energy for the buildings on the mainland too.

The city-building is completely perforated to permit the circulation of air and light on each level, hosting green-areas and vertical gardens. Green zones are spread all over the tower, while meeting and social areas are thought for the community life.

The city-building consists of 10 modular layers overlapping. It reaches the height of 750 meters, with a total volume of 3.750.000 cubic meters, able to host up to 25.000 people, with a green area of over 200.000 square meters, including the public garden square at the top of the building.
Every modular and repeatable layer is high 72 meters and has an overall diameter of 155 meters, of which 120 meters of empty space inside the building.It consists of 18 floors, 58.000 square meters of floor surface housing homes and services, offices, stores and other facilities for a large community of maximum of 2.500 inhabitants. Residences have different sizes and shapes for each floor, and they include apartments, duplex and villas. The outside surface, with green areas and gardens, is large 20.000 square meters.

The building is settled on the sea bottom, with a series of underwater floors that host parking and technical areas, facilities such as spas, mediation centres and gym and luxury hotels rooms with underwater views.

It is possible to reach Vertical City by water, by land or by air. The circular basement is equipped with external and internal docks and three naval entries: large boats can dock at the external berths, so as permitting public or private smaller boats only, to navigate in the inner gulf. The connection with the mainland is made possible throughout a semi-submersed bridge for pedestrians, cars and public electric transports, which connect the land with the basement underwater. Moreover, the tower is provided with an heliport connected with the upper garden-square and vertical linking-installations.

Vertical City is a modular interpretation of the idea of contemporary city. And possible futures.