Bionic-Arch by Vincent Callebaut

Is it a spaceship, is it a fabulous gigantic jellyfish or is it some twisted, ultra modern piece of architecture?

This fabulous piece of futuristic design is a pledge to the environment, respecting nature and cherishing the world surrounding us. The first building in the world to surpass the 9 major indexes of green architectural compliances, the Taichung Ecopolis- Bionic Arch has already become a symbol of a sustainable development. As its creators from Vincent Callebaut Architectures like to put it, the Arch is an “urban oasis for lifestyle, innovation, culture and biodiversity”.

Located in the heart of Taiwan, the tower overlooks the whole central area of the country, becoming thus the most important visual focus. The structure rises an impressive 380 meters above ground level, exhibiting tens of floors of suspended gardens along with an intricate system of rooms and laboratories. All facilities (exhibition rooms, shops, restaurants, observatories, research labs etc.) were projected as to superpose vertically, creating an illusion of gardens suspended in the sky.  The arch also hosts the Taichung City Development Museum and features some of the most luscious parks projected by landscape designers, offering visitors a sweet refuge from the big city hustle.

The first aim of the building is to cater for the recreational needs of the visitors, creating a relaxing ambiance; secondly, it aids in providing them with a clear picture of Taipei’s identity as a city, its history and its future perspectives, while also serving as a sightseeing point. Aside from this, it will be used as a telecommunication base.

However, the real goal of this magnificent construction is to make all dreams regarding eco-friendly self-sustainability possible. The Ecopolis is definitely one of the most interesting projects on the market, being 100% self-sustainable through exclusively alternative means. Through an ingenious scheme of using solar power, wind power, bio-reactors for purification, recycling and eliminating waste, the arch can be regarded as completely ecological; if you also consider the proposals for recreating natural ecosystems, the tower becomes a truly living and breathing factory.

The Bionic Arch’s purpose it to harmoniously interact with the environment on all levels: climatically, chemically, kinetically, and socially, in order to reduce the urban ecological footprint. Making use of all available, renewable resources, the tower will be a model for self-sufficient energy construction, while also help raise awareness upon critical issues of today’s society.