Duration /
2012–2013

Funding /
ETH Zurich

Key Partners /
Urban-​Think Tank, Chair of Architecture and Urban Design (ETH Zurich)

A/S Team /
J. Fonseca, A. Willmann, B. Lemcke A. Schlueter

The Torre David consists of a once abandoned complex of buildings nowadays hosting a community of 3000 inhabitants in Caracas (Venezuela). In 2005, this community peacefully occupied the set of buildings in the financial core of the city, where a tower of 190 m had been planned as the second tallest and most expensive project of Latin America. Since the occupation, the community characterized by a low-​income status, sub-​standard living conditions, but nonetheless, a strong character, struggles to raise its standard of living and gain the acceptance of society.

The Torre David represents a unique setting in an exemplary context. It was a challenging task to think about changing patterns of energy use and harvesting renewable energy when basic needs had to be fulfilled. In an admirable effort, the inhabitants of the tower have organized and established an improvised infrastructure of electricity, water and mobility. Only this infrastructure makes living in the building possible. Its operation and maintenance creates jobs and identification. Improvements are only possible by acknowledging the community, by asking the inhabitants to contribute with their knowledge, power and ingenuity. Realizing and integrating the environmental potentials of the site, the existing architecture and its verticality as well as the strong community of inhabitants opens up the path towards a livable and sustainable present and future.

As part of the team involved in the acclaimed Torre David project – Winner of the Golden Lion at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2012 – the A/S Research Team contributed novel and exemplary concepts for the future infrastructure. Following a strategy of sustainability, the team tailored to improve the quality of life of Torre David’s 3000 inhabitants by providing better access to energy, water supply, and vertical mobility. Our solutions mandate the use of local resources, innovative and low-​cost technologies while maintaining existing sustainable patterns of consumption.

Selected Publications /
1/ J. Fonseca, A. Schlueter. "Novel approach for decentralized energy supply and energy storage of tall buildings in Latin America based on renewable energy sources: Case study - Informal vertical community Torre David, Caracas - Venezuela," in: Energy 53 (2013): 93-​105.
DOI   Research Collection
2/ A. Brillembourg, H. Klumpner, A. Schlueter, J. Fonseca. "Stalled Skyscraper Reborn as Informal Vertical Community," in: CTBUH Journal : International Journal on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat 2013.1 (2013): 32-​37. Research Collection
3/ A. Schlueter, J. Fonseca. "Possibility," in: Torre David: Informal Vertical Communities, edited by A. Brillembourg, H. Klumpner, and Urban-​ThinkTank - Chair of Architecture and Urban Design - ETH Zurich (Zurich: Lars Müller Publishers, 2012)   Research Collection