‘The Gate Residence’ by Vincent Callebaut Architectures integrates a multitude of green architectural features, including a giant solar roof canopy that covers the complex’s rooftop terraces and sky villas.
Envisioned for the Egyptian capital of Cairo, the mixed-use complex combines apartment units and commercial outlets within a hyper-connected ecosystem.
The estate is contained in a series of rectangular volumes that are organised around a central boulevard.
Enveloping the entire scheme is a steel mesh canopy that supports a series of solar panels, heating tubes and vertical wind-catching tunnels, which cascade dramatically into courtyards below.
The wind-catchers are a reference to traditional Egyptian architecture and work to direct airflow up and down to stimulate natural passive cooling.
A big community rooftop garden is also shaded beneath the canopy, providing a common area of flowering plants, infinity swimming pools and sporting facilities.
Lining the street outside the complex are a row of self-sufficient wind turbine prototypes, entitled ‘the phylolight’, which generate electricity for the building.
Construction on the project is expected to start in March 2015.
Courtesy Designboom
