NOVEL SKYSCRAPER CAN REMOVE 1,000 TONS OF CARBON PER YEAR

The designers came up with the idea of a novel skyscraper that is capable of absorbing carbon emissions equivalent to 48,500 trees in the atmosphere. This results in 3 times more carbon removal than what is needed for the construction process.

Novel Skyscraper can remove 1,000 tons of carbon per year / ph: SOM

Recently, during the United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP26), designers introduced "Urban Sequoias" - a network of buildings capable of removing carbon from the atmosphere, equivalent to 48,500 trees.

Named after the tallest tree in the world, Urban Sequoias is the product of a Chicago-based architecture firm, based on existing technologies. Each skyscraper will apply a variety of techniques to capture carbon, including building with carbon-absorbing materials, growing trees and algae (for fuel, energy and food), and direct-air intake technology. The stacking effect from the design helps draw air into the center of the building to filter carbon.

The design firm says that with a lifespan of at least 60 years, Urban Sequoia can absorb four times more carbon released into the atmosphere than the carbon generated from construction. The resulting carbon can be used to produce biomaterials for roads, sidewalks, pipelines, etc. to develop urban infrastructure.

This reduction in carbon occurs mainly for two reasons. Materials used to construct buildings include bio-brick, hemp concrete, wood and bio-concrete, which consume much less carbon than conventional materials such as steel and concrete.

But what makes these buildings more environmentally friendly is the carbon sequestration that occurs after the buildings are put into use, which means that the buildings are not part of the problem but could be the solution.

Accordingly, these buildings eliminate carbon through an alternative design approach.

The design team took the first step with a prototype, a high-rise building to test the solution's effectiveness.

While reducing carbon emissions by consuming naturally derived materials, the prototype absorbs 1,000 tons of carbon annually, equivalent to 48,500 trees. This results in 3 times more carbon removal than what is needed for construction.

Carbon sequestration occurs for the production of algae and biomass, carbon sequestration materials, and ultimately because the air capture feature of buildings helps filter CO2 through the stack effect.

The company's ultimate goal is not one high-rise building or even multiple complexes, but to develop the concept on a broader scale, possibly in cities. Buildings with various functions, from schools, family homes, hospitals, to high-rise buildings, can be built in this way. To some extent, the idea is about turning cities into forests.

According to the plan, the amount of carbon captured per square kilometer will be up to 120 tons if urban landscapes are transformed into gardens, rebuilding cities in the form of carbon-absorbing buildings and streets are equipped with carbon-absorbing technology. This number can increase nearly 3 times if applied in parks and many other green spaces.

Currently, the world has more than 100,000 green buildings with more than 1 billion square meters, showing that investors are well aware of the benefits of green buildings in national and global development strategies.