Building in the Sahara seems to be in the minds of many French architects lately. Aside from Parisian practice XTU Architects’ sand-and-bubble building method for shelters in one of the world’s most inhospitable landscapes, OXO Architectes and Nicolas Laisné Associés—both also from the greater Paris area—revealed their own proposal for the Sahara, a futuristic mixed-use tower called The City Sand Tower, Gizmag reports.
Relying on rainwater collection, solar power, and geothermal energy, the designers aim to make this so-called “vertical city” a sustainable one. The project description says that the building will be 1,476 feet with a total floor space of 192 acres.
According to renderings released by OXO Architectes, agriculture will be planted in a central tower inside the main structure, so that produce is protected from the harsh desert conditions.
Around 22% of the structure’s space will be allocated to office space, 17.5% for hotel space, 15% for housing, and the remaining available space for a shopping center, sports area, museum, spa, dining locations, and conference rooms. The cherry on top is a meteorological observatory and a heliport.
The firms said they imagine the project to start construction in 2025, with construction phased over 50 years, Gizmag reports.
Read the full story at Gizmag.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Aug 27, 2015
Architects propose shipping container tower to replace slums
The firm says approximately 2,500 containers would be needed to complete the design, which aims to accommodate as many as 5,000 people.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 25, 2015
London multifamily building to have transparent swimming pool designed by Arup
Residents and visitors will be able to swim 10 stories above ground, and see views of London.
High-rise Construction | Aug 14, 2015
Pei Cobb Freed designs ‘glass sail’ tower for Shenzhen
The 29-story tower won’t be the tallest in the city, but it will set itself apart from surrounding, glimmering towers with gently curved façades, resembling sails blown by the wind.
High-rise Construction | Aug 12, 2015
Construction begins for Kengo Kuma-designed twisted Rolex tower in Dallas
Japanese architect Kengo Kuma designs tower with gradually rotating floor plates for Rolex's new office in Dallas.
High-rise Construction | Aug 11, 2015
Calatrava's Turning Torso wins CTBUH's 10 Year Award
The 623-foot, 57-story tower was the world's first twisting skyscraper. Completed in 2005, the building, designed by Santiago Calatrava, rotates 90 degrees along its height.
High-rise Construction | Aug 7, 2015
Tribute tower to cricket world champs will be Sri Lanka’s tallest
The 1996 Iconic Tower will be a tribute to the country’s cricket team, which won the World Cup in 1996.
Vertical Transportation | Aug 5, 2015
ThyssenKrupp’s maglev elevator test tower almost ready
The 761-foot concrete tower will enable the manufacturer to test its maglev elevator prototypes. The new elevators will be moved by magnets, allowing for vertical and horizontal movement of multiple cars in one shaft.
High-rise Construction | Aug 4, 2015
Construction of Vietnam’s tallest building commences in Ho Chi Minh City
A 1,509-foot skyscraper broke ground on the banks of the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
High-rise Construction | Jul 29, 2015
Jerusalem to get a high-rise pyramid by Daniel Libeskind
Are pyramids making a comeback? The city of Paris recently approved a triangle-shaped building that stirred controversy from residents. Now, the city of Jerusalem gave Libeskind's pyramid tower the go-ahead.
High-rise Construction | Jul 28, 2015
Work begins on KPF's 'flared silhouette' tower in Manhattan
The 62-story, 157-unit luxury condo tower widens at the 40th floor, resulting in a gently flared silhouette, accented by a sculpted crown.
