SkyRise Miami, the city's soon-to-be tallest tower is now under construction, ArchDaily reports.
Rising above Biscayne Bay, the 305-meter tower will include three viewing decks, a restaurant, nightclub, and exhibition space. Its most unique feature, however, will be the chance for visitors to bungee jump off of its upper floors.
Arquitectonica, who designed SkyRise, have said that they hope the tower will meet LEED Gold Standards when built. Construction is set to be completed in 2017.
Here is the Arquitectonica's design statement:
A continuous sheet of translucent mesh rises one thousand feet from the bay to the sky. It wraps around a colossal atrium and descends dramatically, forming a sweeping curve. At its base the curve becomes a monumental canopy under which cascading steps create a performance amphitheater. The resultant form can be interpreted as a giant wave, or a billfish jumping out of the water, a giant fishing net, or even a flowing dress over a sensuous form. More simply, the curving silhouette references Miami’s tropicality.
Unlike other observation towers, Sky Rise Miami is asymmetrical. It is decidedly directional, facing the Caribbean and South America. It welcomes our visitors from the south into North America. It is our abstract version of the Statue of Liberty. A sculpture to view from afar, and also to explore within.
Also, unlike other observation towers, Sky Rise Miami is more than a viewing deck. It has content. A cluster of functional levels at its top contain multiple restaurants, shops, an event ballroom, an exhibit gallery, a soaring domed theatre, a night club, and a thrill ride that allows daring visitors to drop at high speed from the sky to the bay along its facade. It emphasizes current thinking that architecture is not only about form, but also about content.
Related Stories
| Dec 3, 2013
Architects urge government to reform design-build contracting process
Current federal contracting laws are discouraging talented architects from competing for federal contracts, depriving government and, by inference, taxpayers of the best design expertise available, according to AIA testimony presented today on Capitol Hill.
| Dec 3, 2013
Construction spending hits four-year peak after rare spike in public outlays
An unusual surge in public construction in October pushed total construction spending to its highest level since May 2009 despite a dip in both private residential and nonresidential activity.
| Nov 27, 2013
BIG's 'oil and vinegar' design wins competition for the Museum of the Human Body [slideshow]
The winning submission by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and A+ Architecture mixes urban pavement and parkland in a flowing, organic plan, like oil and vinegar, explains Bjarke Ingels.
| Nov 27, 2013
Retail renaissance: What's next?
The retail construction category, long in the doldrums, is roaring back to life. Send us your comments and projects as we prepare coverage for this exciting sector.
| Nov 27, 2013
Pediatric hospitals improve care with flexible, age-sensitive design
Pediatric hospitals face many of the same concerns as their adult counterparts. Inpatient bed demand is declining, outpatient visits are soaring, and there is a higher level of focus on prevention and reduced readmissions.
| Nov 27, 2013
Exclusive survey: Revenues increased at nearly half of AEC firms in 2013
Forty-six percent of the respondents to an exclusive BD+C survey of AEC professionals reported that revenues had increased this year compared to 2012, with another 24.2% saying cash flow had stayed the same.
| Nov 27, 2013
Wonder walls: 13 choices for the building envelope
BD+C editors present a roundup of the latest technologies and applications in exterior wall systems, from a tapered metal wall installation in Oklahoma to a textured precast concrete solution in North Carolina.
| Nov 27, 2013
University reconstruction projects: The 5 keys to success
This AIA CES Discovery course discusses the environmental, economic, and market pressures affecting facility planning for universities and colleges, and outlines current approaches to renovations for critical academic spaces.
| Nov 26, 2013
7 ways to make your firm more successful
Like all professional services businesses, AEC firms are challenged to effectively manage people. And even though people can be rather unpredictable, a firm’s success doesn’t have to be. Here are seven ways to make your firm more successful in the face of market variability and uncertainty.
| Nov 26, 2013
Design-build downsized: Applying the design-build method in an era of smaller projects
Any project can benefit from the collaborative spirit and cooperative relationships embodied by design-build. But is there a point of diminishing return where the design-build project delivery model just doesn't make sense for small projects? Design-build expert Lisa Cooley debates the issue.