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Architecture

Vincent Callebaut imagines a sustainable Paris

By Adam Williams
January 14, 2015
Vincent Callebaut imagines a sustainable Paris
Vincent Callebaut's vision of a sustainable Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Vincent Callebaut's vision of a sustainable Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
View 50 Images
Vincent Callebaut's vision of a sustainable Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Vincent Callebaut's vision of a sustainable Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
One can usually count on Vincent Callebaut to produce striking renders of futuristic sustainable architecture on a grand scale, and the Belgian architect's firm certainly doesn't disappoint (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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One can usually count on Vincent Callebaut to produce striking renders of futuristic sustainable architecture on a grand scale, and the Belgian architect's firm certainly doesn't disappoint (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
2050 Paris Smart City seeks to remake the City of Light into a veritable City of Green (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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2050 Paris Smart City seeks to remake the City of Light into a veritable City of Green (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
The Mountain Towers, located at Rue De Rivoli (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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The Mountain Towers, located at Rue De Rivoli (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
The Mountain Towers, located at Rue De Rivoli (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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The Mountain Towers, located at Rue De Rivoli (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
The Mountain Towers, located at Rue De Rivoli (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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The Mountain Towers, located at Rue De Rivoli (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
The Mountain Towers, located at Rue De Rivoli (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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The Mountain Towers, located at Rue De Rivoli (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
The Mountain Towers, located at Rue De Rivoli (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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The Mountain Towers, located at Rue De Rivoli (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
The Mountain Towers, located at Rue De Rivoli (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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The Mountain Towers, located at Rue De Rivoli (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
The Antismog Towers, located at Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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The Antismog Towers, located at Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
The Antismog Towers, located at Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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The Antismog Towers, located at Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
The Antismog Towers, located at Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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The Antismog Towers, located at Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
The Antismog Towers, located at Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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The Antismog Towers, located at Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
The Antismog Towers, located at Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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The Antismog Towers, located at Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
The Antismog Towers, located at Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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The Antismog Towers, located at Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Photosynthesis Towers, located at 15th arrondissement of Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Photosynthesis Towers, located at 15th arrondissement of Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Photosynthesis Towers, located at 15th arrondissement of Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Photosynthesis Towers, located at 15th arrondissement of Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Photosynthesis Towers, located at 15th arrondissement of Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Photosynthesis Towers, located at 15th arrondissement of Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Photosynthesis Towers, located at 15th arrondissement of Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Photosynthesis Towers, located at 15th arrondissement of Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Photosynthesis Towers, located at 15th arrondissement of Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Photosynthesis Towers, located at 15th arrondissement of Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Photosynthesis Towers, located at 15th arrondissement of Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Photosynthesis Towers, located at 15th arrondissement of Paris (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Bamboo Towers, located at 13th arrondissement of Paris, Massena Area (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Bamboo Towers, located at 13th arrondissement of Paris, Massena Area (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Bamboo Towers, located at 13th arrondissement of Paris, Massena Area (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Bamboo Towers, located at 13th arrondissement of Paris, Massena Area (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Bamboo Towers, located at 13th arrondissement of Paris, Massena Area (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Bamboo Towers, located at 13th arrondissement of Paris, Massena Area (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Bamboo Towers, located at 13th arrondissement of Paris, Massena Area (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Bamboo Towers, located at 13th arrondissement of Paris, Massena Area (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Bamboo Towers, located at 13th arrondissement of Paris, Massena Area (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Bamboo Towers, located at 13th arrondissement of Paris, Massena Area (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Honeycomb Towers, located at Porte Des Lilas (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Honeycomb Towers, located at Porte Des Lilas (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Honeycomb Towers, located at Porte Des Lilas (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures) (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Honeycomb Towers, located at Porte Des Lilas (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures) (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Honeycomb Towers, located at Porte Des Lilas (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Honeycomb Towers, located at Porte Des Lilas (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Honeycomb Towers, located at Porte Des Lilas (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Honeycomb Towers, located at Porte Des Lilas (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Honeycomb Towers, located at Porte Des Lilas (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Honeycomb Towers, located at Porte Des Lilas (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Honeycomb Towers, located at Porte Des Lilas (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Honeycomb Towers, located at Porte Des Lilas (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Farmscrapers Towers, located at Porte D'Aubervilliers (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Farmscrapers Towers, located at Porte D'Aubervilliers (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Farmscrapers Towers, located at Porte D'Aubervilliers (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Farmscrapers Towers, located at Porte D'Aubervilliers (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Farmscrapers Towers, located at Porte D'Aubervilliers (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Farmscrapers Towers, located at Porte D'Aubervilliers (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Farmscrapers Towers, located at Porte D'Aubervilliers (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Farmscrapers Towers, located at Porte D'Aubervilliers (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Farmscrapers Towers, located at Porte D'Aubervilliers (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Farmscrapers Towers, located at Porte D'Aubervilliers (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Farmscrapers Towers, located at Porte D'Aubervilliers (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Farmscrapers Towers, located at Porte D'Aubervilliers (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Mangrove Towers, located at Gare Du Nord (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Mangrove Towers, located at Gare Du Nord (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Mangrove Towers, located at Gare Du Nord (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Mangrove Towers, located at Gare Du Nord (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Mangrove Towers, located at Gare Du Nord (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Mangrove Towers, located at Gare Du Nord (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Mangrove Towers, located at Gare Du Nord (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Mangrove Towers, located at Gare Du Nord (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Mangrove Towers, located at Gare Du Nord (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Mangrove Towers, located at Gare Du Nord (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Mangrove Towers, located at Gare Du Nord (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Mangrove Towers, located at Gare Du Nord (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Bridge Towers, located at Pont Aval and Pont Amont (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Bridge Towers, located at Pont Aval and Pont Amont (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Bridge Towers, located at Pont Aval and Pont Amont (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Bridge Towers, located at Pont Aval and Pont Amont (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Bridge Towers, located at Pont Aval and Pont Amont (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Bridge Towers, located at Pont Aval and Pont Amont (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Bridge Towers, located at Pont Aval and Pont Amont (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Bridge Towers, located at Pont Aval and Pont Amont (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Bridge Towers, located at Pont Aval and Pont Amont (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Bridge Towers, located at Pont Aval and Pont Amont (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
Bridge Towers, located at Pont Aval and Pont Amont (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
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Bridge Towers, located at Pont Aval and Pont Amont (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
View gallery - 50 images

One can usually count on Vincent Callebaut to produce thought-provoking renders that depict futuristic sustainable architecture, and the Belgian architectural firm certainly doesn't disappoint with this vision of a smart and sustainable Paris. The recent proposal, titled 2050 Paris Smart City, envisions remaking the City of Light into a veritable City of Green.

The ambitious proposal was commissioned by Paris City Hall in relation to a plan to reduce the city's greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75 percent by 2050. It also involved input from engineering firm Setec Bâtiment. Though we're still awaiting clarification from Vincent Callebaut Architectures, we'll go out on a limb and guess that it's not going to be built in its current form any time soon.

2050 Paris Smart City is reminiscent of Callebaut's past works (albeit on a larger scale), and comprises eight major parts, each dominating a significant portion of the city and boasting high-tech sustainable design and greenery. The first, dubbed Mountain Towers, is massive and features 15 separate mixed-use residential towers placed atop the rooftops of existing buildings on Paris' famous Rue De Rivoli.

The Mountain Towers, located at Rue De Rivoli (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)
The Mountain Towers, located at Rue De Rivoli (Image: Vincent Callebaut Architectures)

Each of the 15 towers sports two large photovoltaic and thermal solar shields on its facade, the shape of which are inspired by dragonfly wings, and they would both produce electricity and heat water during the day. Meanwhile, at night, a "reversible hydro-electrical pumped storage station will let an urban cascade flow out from the top of the tower between to basins of rainwater retention tanks located at different levels," says the firm. We're not sure what this means exactly, but it sounds suitably futuristic and vaguely environmentally-friendly.

Other notable elements of the proposal include a number of large bamboo towers which support vegetable gardens, a pair of jellyfish-inspired bridges with integrated residential towers and wind turbines, and a "vertical park" that features algae bioreactors. According to Vincent Callebaut Architectures, the eight main sections of the proposal would produce large amounts of renewable energy for the city and increase viable living space.

While this proposal is unlikely to leave the drawing board, it's perhaps best considered as food-for-thought with regard to the kind of radical changes that cities may eventually need to consider if they are to become sustainable on a large scale.

Source: Vincent Callebaut Architectures

View gallery - 50 images

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ArchitecturePhotovoltaicSustainableFuturisticConcept ArchitectureVincent Callebaut
7 comments
Adam Williams
Adam Williams
Adam scours the globe from his home in Spain in order to bring the best of innovative architecture and sustainable design to the pages of New Atlas. Most of his spare time is spent dabbling in music, tinkering with old Macintosh computers and trying to keep his even older VW bus on the road.

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7 comments
Robert Walther
I have to admit that this version of Paris looks a lot like the scifi show in which the Earth has been partly terraformed by aliens. If you balk at aliens, how about Paris after the conquest by radical, Mayan jungle revolutionaries.
Mike Malsed
one thing that gets me - we already know how pervasive and destructive that tree roots are to buildings. In fact, pretty much any plant will eat at masonry/concrete and contribute to the degradation/rust of steel.
So with that in mind - how do these proposals deal with trees planted on the sides of buildings? With all of the other plants?
I think it's a great idea - just am curious about the feasibility.
S Michael
Come on people, get real.. this is dopy. Plants damage building, especially clinging vine plants. Where does this dopy person have his head. Wasted my time reading the first three paragraphs.
Rehab
amazing concept, I like it
lwesson
Day after the Triffids!---->Robert Walther
As culturally neutered as a Euro coin or Paper Currency. No surprise here, looking up Callebaut, I find the fine Fairy Dusted Unicorn stamp of a Utopian Extraordinaire. The mindset of such high thinking people, is set in the concrete notion of what they think everyone else should be, how they should live, where they should live, how they should think... and thus in Callebaut's World, people should live on Lilly Pad floating cities, Paris should be draped in a canvas of plants, alien world building towers should replace the European Style old buildings...
How could this come about? A fanatical Dictator could be Vincent's Sugar Daddy. Dream on Vincent, dream on, or maybe your Utopian Nightmare could happen? Looking through the glass, the World has proven to be a blood drenched curious place. And then there are the Alien Triffids...
Fairly Reasoner
Must be some mushrooms growing.
CharlieSeattle
What? No green makeover for the Eiffel Tower?