MAD + hyperloopTT design transportation infrastructure that supports urban farming

MAD architects, led by ma yansong, has collaborated with hyperloop transportation technologies (hyperloopTT) on the development of an elevated, rapid transport system. MAD’s design seeks to demonstrate how man-made structures can merge with nature through a new urban infrastructure. ‘while providing enhanced connectivity between cities and people, the transportation system will also establish a renewed connection between people and their city through car-free raised green walkways along the roof of the tunnels, and activation spaces below in the form of parks and recreation areas,’ says the design team.

image by mir (also main image) | all images courtesy of MAD architects

hyperloopTT is one of a number of companies looking to develop a transportation system based on the hyperloop concept, which was envisioned and ‘open-sourced’ by elon musk in 2013. the transportation system sees passengers travel through a tube without air resistance or friction, resulting in high speed travel between locations. hyperloopTT commissioned MAD to conceive a versatile pylon design that while acting as structural support for the transportation system, could easily be integrated across different environments — from bustling city centers to remote deserts.

MAD’s scheme harnesses solar and wind energy to power the system. the transportation tunnels are outfitted with bendable solar panel skin modules that are used to power the hyperloop itself, along with LEDs installed along its surface that function as interactive information boards. meanwhile, bladeless wind turbine forests positioned at certain sections of the network will harness the vorticity of the wind, creating a primary source of power for the transportation system and lowering overall energy costs.

this pylon design minimizes the physical footprint of the hyperloop by lifting its functions almost 7 meters (23 feet) above ground. this eliminates the possibility of collision with road traffic, which in turn decreases the cost of land acquisition. it is composed of a single-mold fiber glass structure, proving its efficiency in both its development and usage. importantly, the base of each pylon can host crop-growing facilities that encourage urban farming, while the light energy sourced from the solar-powered LEDs allows the plants to be self-sustainable.

MAD first worked with hyperloopTT for the occasion of the 2020 expo in dubai. since then, hyperloopTT has designed a full-scale passenger capsule in puerto de santa maria, spain; and revealed a 320 meter (1,050 ft) passenger system in toulouse, france, that is currently in the process of integrating its full-scale passenger capsule for human trials in 2020. read more hyperloop news on designboom here.

project info:

client: hyperloop transportation technologies (hyperloopTT)
design: MAD architects
team: ma yansong, dang qun, yosuke hayano, dixon lu, matthew pugh, wang tao, chris nolop, nathan kiatkulpiboone