Site: Guangzhou, China

China is in need of a new type of urbanism where it can be closely intertwined with the natural environment. The challenge is how to create a high level of density while still being sensitive to the environment. There is also a high demand for fresh water in most large cities in China. In the Pearl River Delta 85% of the surface water is polluted. The canal systems in the community help mitigate the pollution of water in the delta. The three connected towers on each side of the island are water percolators producing fresh water. Water is filtered through the towers, watering vegetation, creating a self-sustaining system that actually gives back to the ecosystem. Algae are a byproduct from this process which is then sent to a biomass energy plant located within the towers to produce clean energy. The fresh water generated through the towers is then circulated throughout the community.

The buildings terrace down in a stepped pattern to allow sunlight to hit every roof where vegetables are cultivated. All of these systems working together provide an example to the adjacent university on how to design sustainably. The Guangzhou University is directly adjacent to the site connecting it to the education system. Connecting to the education system is key for the future of Chinese environmentalism. Read Less