PURiHIVE by Alexander Herrera Rojas and Katarzyna Ziolkowska 

PURiHIVE is an air cleansing skyscraper that aims to improve air quality by purifying smog and absorbing CO2.
The tower emphasizes an exoskeleton structural façade with a parametric design form and carefully considered combination of materials such as uniform steelwork with glass mesh casing forming the trusses with plentiful green living and hempcrete panel insets. The exoskeleton avoids the use of concrete as structural material and reduce production of CO2.

The exoskeleton’s encasement is finished with titanium dioxide coating for purifying smog. When this layer is exposed to the sun’s UV rays capturing nitrogen-oxide and pollutants, it breaks down dirt and grime, turning them into harmless salts, effectively cleansing the air and self-cleaning its own façade.

PURiHIVE’s design has been envisioned as a slender and playful “dancing” like tower providing 360° views over London and planned for a mixed-use hive development of residential, retail, art, entertainment, bars and restaurants.

Software used: SketchUp, Lumion, Photoshop