The Endless City is a new skyscraper concept from London-based SURE Architecture that proposes exactly what it says on the tin: a building that is not an enclosure within the larger space of a city, but a continuation of that city.
Two ramps extend throughout the entire building, connecting all the floors in one continuous run, Architecture Lab reports. The project received first place in the 2014 Organic Skyscraper competition, held by SuperSkyScrapers.
"Rather than superimposing one floor on top of another without real continuity, our project is thought of as two endless ramps, rising gradually with a low gradient from the ground floor to the sky," said the architects in a statement. "There is no break anywhere; neither between the street level and the skyscraper, nor between the skyscraper floors themselves."
When people enter the building, they will be greeted by continuous spatial concentrations, and the places where their eyes land will be guided by the architecture. In other words, the design is trying to change how people interact with both the architecture and each other.
The ramps that extend throughout the skyscraper are irregular and lead to many different areas, such as commercial zones, technology zones, parks, auditoriums, and quiet areas. Multiple plazas, each with their own atmosphere, are meant to create high levels of pedestrian movement throughout the tower.
The shape of the building is meant to minimize artificial lighting, ventilation, and cooling needs.
Related Stories
Cultural Facilities | Apr 20, 2015
Jean Nouvel loses court battle against Philharmonie de Paris over alleged design ‘sabotage’
Nouvel boycotted the January opening of the facility and asked for his name to be removed from all references to the work.
Contractors | Apr 20, 2015
Too many construction projects don’t meet owners’ expectations: KPMG report
Causes for delays, overruns, and underperformance include project management talent shortages, distrust between owners and contractors, and the lack of fully integrated project management systems.
High-rise Construction | Apr 17, 2015
Construction begins on Goettsch Partners-designed Nanning China Resources Center Tower
The tower's design is derived from its multiple uses, which include 170,000 sm of Class A office space, 5,000 sm of boutique retail, and a 45,000-sm luxury Shangri-La hotel.
Museums | Apr 16, 2015
SANAA and Snøhetta tie at first place for Budapest museum bid
The two firms submitted designs for the New National Gallery and Ludwig Museum, one of five planned museums to be constructed in a park just outside the urban center of Hungary’s capital.
High-rise Construction | Apr 16, 2015
Construction begins on Seattle's Tibet-inspired Potala Tower
Construction on the 41-story Potala Tower in Seattle finally kicked off following a ground-breaking ceremony seven months ago.
Architects | Apr 14, 2015
Jeanne Gang, Bjarke Ingels among participants for inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial
Some big names include Bjarke Ingels Group and Studio Gang Architects
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Apr 13, 2015
USTA breaks ground on what will be the country’s largest tennis complex
The 63-acre facility is being positioned as a cornerstone for a sports innovation and performance district in Lake Nona, Fla., a 7,000-acre master planned community that continues to expand.
Building Team Awards | Apr 10, 2015
14 projects that push AEC teaming to the limits
From Lean construction to tri-party IPD to advanced BIM/VDC coordination, these 14 Building Teams demonstrate the power of collaboration in delivering award-winning buildings. These are the 2015 Building Team Award winners.
Building Team Awards | Apr 10, 2015
Prefab saves the day for Denver hospital
Mortenson Construction and its partners completed the 831,000-sf, $623 million Saint Joseph Hospital well before the January 1, 2015, deadline, thanks largely to their extensive use of offsite prefabrication.
Building Team Awards | Apr 10, 2015
Anaheim’s soaring intermodal hub
Anaheim's Regional Transportations Intermodal Center is the largest ETFE project in North America.