Results: Vertical Farms

YAC and Manni Group have officially announced the winners of the Vertical Farms architecture competition — and we’re excited to share them with you!

This bold design challenge invited architects and designers from around the world to envision a new generation of agricultural architecture—one capable of addressing the pressing global crisis of food production in a rapidly urbanizing and resource-constrained world.

Throughout history, agriculture has been one of humanity’s most transformative innovations. Despite advances in technology, it has remained symbolically rooted in ideas of harmony with nature and the rural landscape. Yet, today’s environmental and demographic realities are reshaping this ancient paradigm. With the global population surging and fertile land in decline, the need for more sustainable, efficient, and technologically advanced farming methods has never been greater.

The Vertical Farms competition set out to explore one such solution: vertical farming. These machine-buildings of the future—towering structures that use artificial lighting and climate control to grow crops in stacked layers—represent a radical shift in how we think about food, space, and urban life. The challenge asked: What identity should these structures take on? How can we integrate them into the collective imagination and the urban fabric of tomorrow?

The awarded proposals stood out for their visionary approaches to these questions. The winning designs not only demonstrated remarkable architectural and technological ingenuity, but also offered poetic, thought-provoking reflections on the future of nourishment and our evolving relationship with nature. Some emphasized sculptural and iconic forms that redefine the city skyline, while others focused on modularity, community interaction, and sustainable material use. All shared a deep commitment to reimagining the archetype of food production as a civic and cultural landmark.

YAC and Manni Group extend their sincere gratitude to all participants for their outstanding creativity and engagement with such a vital topic. The competition has opened a new chapter in the story of agriculture—one that is vertical, urban, and deeply architectural.