With the world's population on the rise - 6.7 billion humans inhabit our planet as of September - it's always a good thing to hear of new and innovative ways to find more efficient, eco-friendly ways for people to live. The new vertical urban structure being built in Seattle is a prime example of such innovation.

The architectural company Mithun came up with plans for a self-sufficient building to be built in downtown Seattle. The building can sustain and supply its own water through a 31,000 foot system on the roof that collects rainwater. The building can even recycle its own water. The building also has 34,000 feet of solar cells to provide its energy, with hydrogen gas to act as backup fuel.

The building, as you can see from the picture (click to enlarge), has a very green theme. That's because it has its own agricultural system that can grow vegetables and grains. It even has a chicken farm. The building has its own self-sustained Restaurant & Cafe using local food grown - and in the chickens' case, raised - within the premises.

The structure contains 318 apartments, coming in studio types, or 1- and 2-bedroom types within its 0.72-acre perimeter. The plans won best of show in the Cascadia Region Green Building Council's "Living Building Challenge," a contest that challenges architects to create a self-sustaining building.