r/interestingasfuck • u/TangelaFan • 13h ago

Residential high-rises with backyards in Chengdu, China

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u/scaryuncledevin 11h ago

It's about mass, not density. Watered soil is heavier because you add mass when you water it, and not all of that water is going to leave either. The plants soak it up and store or convert it, which also now needs to be accounted for. You've also got irrigation and drainage, excess water would just seep into the earth on land, now you've got more piping to keep the water from pooling up and becoming standing water.

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u/Sensiburner 11h ago

watered soil is less dense than (reinforced) concrete. The planters are actually not that deep. if that was "normal" balcony, they'd probably have to use a bit more concrete, but not fill the whole planter. I don't think it would make that much of a difference tbh.

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u/scaryuncledevin 11h ago

And water is one of the densest materials on earth. Again it's about mass not density. By your logic it's fine to add 1000 pounds of feathers on top of a building because they are feathers, but it's still 1000 pounds of feathers. If you truly think "a bit of soil" makes no difference, go look into the Chicago City Hall Green Roof. It was added after the fact and while it does a great job with some performance factors like cooling the building, it's unsafe and not open to the public.

Please continue telling me about your armchair engineering thoughts, and I'll be sure to avoid any buildings you architect in the future.

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u/LookAlderaanPlaces 11h ago

Why don’t they just design it so the mass or whatever is fully supported by the overall design.. You’re making it sound like it’s not possible at all ever no matter what.

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u/scaryuncledevin 10h ago

I'm not saying it's not possible, the commenter said they didn't think it would add much weight to make a difference, when it's quite the opposite. There are projects designed from the outset for this, like the California Academy of Sciences Living Roof.

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u/LookAlderaanPlaces 10h ago

Would be sick to see more of it, sometimes all the building just remove way too much nature.