Valentino Gareri Atelier has been selected to design The Spiral Village. This is the pilot project for a circular economy village model that aims to redefine urban sprawl through sustainability and diverse programming. The Spiral Village will be made up of eight residential hubs, along with co-working and entertainment spaces. 3D printing methods will be used to build the Spiral Village, which will allow for circularity through a waste-to-resources hub, a diverse regenerative agricultural system, a sustainable water management system, and renewable energy.
Image: Valentino Gareri Atelier
Urban planner and political economist Steven Liaros, and water engineer Nilmini De Silva, who are initiators of Australian town planning consultancy PolisPlan, developed the concept of circular economy villages. They describe it as a vision “for a network of high-tech, regenerative villages that strive towards self-sufficiency and zero waste within their bioregion.” Within this planning model, “each village houses a diverse community of up to 200 people and will integrate affordable co-working and co-living spaces with water and energy micro-grids and a regenerative agricultural system.” The Spiral Village, designed by Valentino Gareri Atelier, will be the pilot project for the Circular Economy Villages concept.
“We envision a new way of living where people can experience a closer relationship with nature and the food they eat, building a strong sense of community in the process. At the same time, we are looking to incorporate technologies in innovative ways to improve our lives and reduce the cost of living. For decades the common belief was that living in a sustainable village meant renouncing comforts. With the ‘Spiral Village’ and PolisPlan’s Circular Economy Village concept and design principles, we are reimagining the future of living where nature, sustainable energy sources and modern technologies are combined.” – Valentino Gareri
Image: Valentino Gareri Atelier
Located five hours north of Sidney, The Spiral Village will be built on a 40 hectares site. The residential structures have a geometric design, strategic for maximizing sunlight energy and rainwater collection.
The water system creates a series of ponds, the lowest of which will be used for cleaning wastewater, which will then be recycled. Additionally, there will be an agricultural system meant to provide food for residents and help with organic waste management. The project also features a hub for converting inorganic materials into new products or other resources.
