rainforest guardian skyscraper protects the amazon from fire

rainforest guardian skyscraper protects the amazon from fire
all images by jie huang, jin wei, qiaowan tang, yiwei yu, zhe hao (china) / courtesy of eVolo

proposed by chinese designers jie huang, jin wei, qiaowan tang, yiwei yu and zhe hao, the ‘rainforest guardian skyscraper’ towers over the amazonian landscape, protecting the region from the constant threat of fire and drought. the lotus-shaped design, which received an honorable mention as part of eVolo‘s 2014 skyscraper competition, primarily functions as a water tower, but is also a weather station, scientific research center and an educational laboratory.

according to NASA, fires have destroyed 3% of the amazon rainforest over the last 12 years. these outbreaks are hard to predict and even more difficult to control. the ‘guardian’ serves as a device capable of preventing, monitoring and combating fire.

the proposal directly captures rainwater that is subsequently filtered and stored within ancillary reservoirs. aerial roots with a distinct sponge-structure absorb liquid without disturbing the region’s delicately balanced ecosystem. in the case of flames, firefighters fly to the scene and extinguish the inferno with the previously collected water. research labs enable scientists to monitor climate change and the stability of the environment. these spaces also act as exhibition galleries for tourists promoting environmental awareness.

the design primarily functions a water tower, but is also a weather station and scientific research center

the scheme directly captures rainwater that is subsequently filtered and stored within ancillary reservoirs

sectional drawing indicating spatial arrangement

rainwater collection system

the ‘aerial root’

the extinguishment process

the water-cycle regulating process

the ‘rainforest firefighters’

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