Sci-fi blueprints for an eco-future
- Source: Global Times
- [22:11 December 01 2009]
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Nudging Space, part of Arcosanti, a town conceived by Paolo Soleri
MVRDV was set up in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in 1993 by Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs and Nathalie de Vries, their realized projects include the Dutch Pavilion for World EXPO 2000 in Hanover, an innovative business park Flight Forum in Eindhoven and the Silodam Housing complex in Amsterdam among others.
With the aim to conceive a blueprint feasible for future China, the group conducted a tremendous amount of research on China's ecological conditions. China Hills is the outcome of extensive study of the country's population distribution, water resources and climate, explained Van Rijs.
As part of the exhibition in Beijing, Italian-American architect Paolo Soleri is offering his blueprint for a future China. Famous for his elaborate sociological philosophies and city plans, Soleri is presenting his "Lean Linear City" theory to combat concerns about China's urban development.
His theory refers to a continuous urban ribbon which is actually two main parallel structures of 30 or more stories that extend for kilometers or hundreds of kilometers, with each structural module able to accommodate 1,500 people and including space for productive, commercial, institutional, cultural, recreational and health activities.
Soleri is widely considered the father of "arcology," an idea that conceptually interprets the interrelationship between architecture and ecology. His unremitting e. orts on carrying out his theory in establishing self-su. Cient sustainable cities since the 1960s, has made him one of the most respected architects in the world.
Among Soleri's life-long activities and designs promoting eco-friendly architecture and fulfilling his theories, one of the most signifi cant projects is Arcosanti, an experimental town in the heart of Arizona's desert, about 110 kilometers away from Phoenix.
The mini city began construction in 1970 and is considered a miracle in the international architectural world. Its compact structures will eventually occupy only 10.12 hectares on 1,643 hectares of land, surrounded by a green belt. It will accommodate 5,000 people, with residents living close to nature.
The Beijing exhibition includes a wide range of Soleri's work; sketches, original manuscripts that recorded his thoughts on the Arcostanti project and his Lean Linear City theory, as well as videos about the experimental town.
Along with the exhibition, a forum on Saturday was attended by designers participating in the exhibition and experts from the fi elds of urban planning, architecture, design and art, all discussing the possibilities of experimental eco-friendly three dimensional cities in China.
Three Dimensional City: Future China will run until February 28, 2010.
