2012 Evolo Skyscraper Competition. Entry# 0749, Christopher Ireland, Christopher Villalta
Estimations report that 1 meter of sea level rise could result in cataclysmic land subsidence within the Sacramento River Valley as early as the year 2050. The salt water flooding will not only eliminate the majority of the habitable land, but will also bring inequitable discord to the fragile freshwater ecosystems.
The co-generative plant proposal integrates three significant infrastructural catalysts into a single high-rise development, while producing a small building footprint. This coastal preservation initiative becomes a major resource, while leaving minimal impact on the surrounding environment.
Desalination will serve as the solution for the mitigation of salt water contamination, while cooperatively augmenting California's potable water supply. The "De-sal" stations collect salt water in preparation for treatment, while simultaneously harvesting the energy produced by the tidal river. This high-volume of controlled water and energy collection serves as an ideal generator for a hydroelectric waterfall. The tidal energy powers the pumps that cause the water to ascend to the apex of the tower. The kinectic energy from the falling water is then re-harvested by generators housed in the buildings core. In conjunction with this fully sustainable power source, the co-generative skyscraper also functions as a water treatment and distribution facility.
This proposal seeks to establish a progressive reform of an indispensable typology. Cooperative programming and the application of renewable resources redefine the archetype of the traditional power plant.
