SKY DROPLET

Imagine a future where Chicago’s skyline isn’t just a symbol of architectural prowess but a beacon of sustainable living—where the food you eat is grown just a few floors below, and the bustle of city life is harmonized with the serenity of nature. The concept of a "food desert" becomes obsolete as we reimagine urban living, not just as a collection of skyscrapers but as vertical ecosystems, flourishing with fresh produce and green spaces that breathe life into the community.

What if your daily commute included a walk through lush vertical farms, where the scent of fresh herbs and vegetables fills the air, and you can witness the cycle of growth from seed to harvest? What if this connection to the earth wasn’t lost in the concrete jungle but was instead an integral part of it, re-establishing a tangible link between food production and consumption?



This visionary project, inspired by the delicate patterns of a water droplet, envisions a mile-high vertical community at the Chicago lakefront—a seamless extension of the city’s green belt that soars into the sky. The towers, resembling a network of rippling water, are not just architectural marvels but are woven with vertical farms that address the stark inequality in access to fresh food in urban neighborhoods.



Four conjoined towers, supported by an intricate diagrid exoskeleton, rise like a living organism, breathing with light and air through their central void. This isn’t just a building; it’s a self-sustaining ecosystem, powered by renewable energy from wind, rain, and even clouds. The MULTI elevator system zips through the structure, enabling effortless movement through a loop of living, working, and recreation spaces, making this not just a place to live, but a community where life, work, and nature are in perfect harmony.