The Leaf Tower was a speculative research project based on the premise that a tower can generate enough energy through harnessing available sunlight, to supply a 100% supply of electricity to the building users.

The scheme began with a structural analysis based on a leaf - a natural form which captures energy from the sun to fuel plant growth. Structurally the tower gains strength by adopting a folded pattern evolved from the stress pattern on a compressed cylindrical form.

The folded geometry is then rotated with each floor until we get five different floorplate types which repeat up the tower in sequence. Solar photo voltaic panels are then inserted across the facade, increasing in density on the southern orientation where sunlight is at its strongest.

The photo voltaic panels also serve to minimise solar gain inside the south facing accommodation. The mixture of solid and transparent panels on the facade projects a strong geometric pattern both from inside and out, and creates a strong identity for the development.