Skyscraper nature reserves: Architects hope to build £790,000 multi-storey habitats above and below water in cities

With green spaces being replaced by building sites and large-scale developments around the world, architects are constantly looking for ways to replace them.

One such concept, devised by a team Dutch-based architects, uses towering structures built with layers of green space in which flora and fauna could live.

Called the Sea Tree, the structures would have space for birds and animals to live above ground, and would be bedded under the sea for fish and coral to inhabit, the Daily Mail reports.
 

“Urbanisation and climate change put a lot of pressure on available space for nature in city centres,” explained Waterstudio.

“New initiatives for adding extra park zones to a city are rare.

“Yet these kind of additional habitats for birds, bees, bats and other small animals could bring a lot of positive green effects to the environment of a city.

Waterstudio’s concept is called the Sea Tree and it was designed to add high density, green spots to towns and cities.

According to designs, it would be a floating structure built using layers where animals and birds can live.

The structures would not accessible by man, and would be built using offshore technology and resources, similar to how oil storage towers are built and powered out at sea.

The idea is that large oil companies would donate a Sea Tree, and the trees could be built on rivers, seas, lakes and harbours.
 

The height and depth of the Sea Tree could also be adjusted depending on where it was placed.
To hold it in place, Waterstudio claims Sea Trees would be moored to the sea bed with a cable system.

Under the water, the Sea Tree would provide a habitat for small water creatures or, if the climate allowed for it, artificial coral reefs.

See more on the Daily Mail website.