ECO-Positive Architecture: Vincent Callebaut

Vincent Callebaut (Belgian Architect in his 30s living and working in Paris) is possibly the most interesting architect which I have come across. His architecture is a blend of futuristic-organic-technological and a true ecstasy to look at. His work is zoomorphic but blended with high tech specifications and designed with sustainability in the forefront.

Fig 1. - LILYPAD by Vincent Callebaut (2009)

   Although his projects tend to remain fantastic conceptions - his visionary and highly stimulating designs make you dream of what the future could be like. In particular, his design LILYPAD (2009) is beautiful both in form and in intent: a prototype for a self-sustainable floating community (refer to figure 1 & 2). Can you imagine floating around the world on one of these floating cities? Imagine being able to live, work, and float around the world with the comforts of your own city always with you?

Fig 2. - LILYPAD by Vincent Callebaut (2009)

   Vincent Callebaut's designs range from floating algae farms to tackle CO2 to skyscrapers in New York for urban agriculture but they all share a strong eco-positive manifesto. What Callebaut has done, is showed us how we can take nature and blend it with technology to create a glimpse of what the future could indeed be like in a sustainable and beautiful manner. 


   There is a monograph book called ARCHIBIOTIC (published in 2008 by AADCU) which - if you manage to find it anywhere - is well worth a buy as it contains within it all of Vincent's designs up to 2008 in high quality full color images.

Click here to get directed to Vincent Callebaut's website.