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
| Feb 21, 2014
First look: Goettsch Partners reveals 'lighthouse' tower scheme for China resort
Topped with glowing beacon that will be visible for miles in any direction, the Rosewood Sanya tower is the centerpiece of a new resort and meeting complex on China’s Hainan Island.
| Feb 20, 2014
5 myths about cross laminated timber
A CLT expert clears up several common misconceptions and myths surrounding the use of wood as a building material.
Sponsored | | Feb 20, 2014
Chicago’s historic Wrigley Building renovated to attract tech companies
Purchased in 2011 by a consortium of investors led by BDT Capital Partners, the building’s new owners have recently renovated and reimagined the next life for this architectural landmark—as a hub for tech firms.
| Feb 20, 2014
World's longest desk? Massive, undulating desk accommodates 145 office workers [video]
The desk is built from plywood and one continuous sheet of resin, and can serve all 145 office employees at once.
| Feb 19, 2014
It's a world record! Largest uninterrupted concrete pour kicks off Wilshire Grand project
Guinness World Records verifies the concrete pour as the largest ever
| Feb 19, 2014
Why you should start with a builder, part two
When it’s time to build or expand, the first step is finding a builder that fits your needs. Once you have found a builder, checked their references, visited with their previous clients and are ready to move forward, the next step is answering an initial set of questions that will direct your project.
| Feb 19, 2014
Slight rebound for Architecture Billings Index
After consecutive months of contracting demand for design services, AIA's Architecture Billings Index inched up nearly two points to 50.4 in January, indicating favorable business conditions.
| Feb 19, 2014
Sefaira Adds Daylighting Analysis to Performance Based Design Platform
Sefaira, the leader in software for high performance building design, today announced that its performance based design platform now includes daylighting analysis. With the addition of daylighting, Sefaira combines two critical design metrics in the same tool.
| Feb 19, 2014
Harvard's 'termite robots' can build any thing, any way [video]
The robots build by observing thier environment and then obeying a set of traffic rules programmed by researchers.
| Feb 18, 2014
Illinois leads Top 10 states for LEED in annual USGBC ranking
The U.S. Green Building Council has released its ranking of the Top 10 States for LEED, the world’s most widely used and recognized green building rating system.