For some reason my mind turns toward grain and seed after seeing a food documentary, Food Inc. — a highly recommended primer on the dysfunctional national food system here in the states. And once again, Denmark provides inspiration for the future.
Yes, I have seen grain silos turned into housing here and here but I have never seen anything on this scale.
before - photo credit: nopanic
after - photo credit: Claus Bundgaard
MVRDV architects originally wanted to create apartments within the hollow interior of this concrete grain silo (built in 1962), but quickly realized it would compromise the structural integrity of the building. So living spaces were “clipped” outside of the twin silos and wrapped in glass walls. The 84 apartments here in Gemini Residence range from 300 to 400 square feet along the Copenhagen waterfront. And voila! From soy cakes to the best view in the city.
photo credit: Jan Lykke
Coincidentally, the same architects are also developing some designs for vertical farming. In short: we need to be more efficient with our space on a global scale.
More photos here.
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Here’s an older example – Quaker Square Hilton (now University of Akron student Housing) Grain silos built in 1936 for Quaker Oats factory – converted in early 1970′s.
http://images.travelnow.com/hotelimages/s/009000/009304A.jpg
http://z.about.com/d/cleveland/1/0/F/A/-/-/QuakerSquareHilton.jpg