During the Industrial Revolution, humans moved out of rural areas and into the cities, where it was easier to access factory jobs. This influx of people caused rapid and drastic changes in the way cities were designed. As ground space was eaten up, residential and commercial skyscrapers emerged as a way for builders to maximize their real estate.
What would happen if, instead of building thousands of feet up into the sky, we developed a smarter design that allowed us to retain our connection to the natural world? That’s just the question a team of French designers hoped to answer with their “Flat Tower” design, a second place winner in the 2011 eVolo skyscraper competition.
Although the construction of skyscrapers has been an architectural solution for high-density urban areas for almost a century, it has also produced some rather negative side-effects: green spaces, trees, and in some cases, sunlight have become hard to find in big cities. Skyscrapers destroy the skyline, block out the sun, and disrupt the infrastructure of a specific location.
The Flat Tower design is based on a medium-height dome structure that covers a large area while preserving its beauty and previous function. The dome is perforated with cell-like skylights that provide direct sunlight to the agricultural fields and recreational spaces located inside.
“The dome’s large surface area is perfect to harvest solar energy and rainwater collection,” write the design team. “Community recreational facilities are located at ground level while the residential and office units are in the upper cells. An automated transportation system connects all the units, which are different shapes according to their program. It is also possible to combine clusters of cells to create larger areas for different activities.” BD+C
Related Stories
| Sep 6, 2012
CPPI awarded $30.3 million contract for University of Florida’s Harrell Medical Education Building
The specialized interdisciplinary learning environment will serve as a focal point for integration and program development for all primary care educational activities in the College of Medicine.
| Sep 5, 2012
Pagano joins Thornton Tomasetti as Vice President in Newark office
Pagano is a Certified Energy Planner and Certified Energy Manager through the Association of Energy Engineers.
| Aug 30, 2012
John S Clark Co. completes teaching lab at UNC Wilmington
Three-story building provides offices, classrooms, and labs.
| Aug 29, 2012
BOND completes South Cove Community Health Center
$11 million, 21,000 square foot community health center opens in Quincy, Mass.
| Aug 29, 2012
Mamayek joins HDR as Design Principal in Boston
He will work closely with the Executive Committee and business group leaders to expand and promote HDR’s Design Excellence initiatives in the Northeast region.
| Aug 28, 2012
McCarthy begins construction on transportation center at Bob Hope Airport
Designed to meet LEED silver certification standards, the facility will feature unique, above ground base isolators that will resist a maximum credible earthquake.
| Aug 28, 2012
Wisnewski Blair & Associates changes name to HGA Mid-Atlantic
New name reflects firm's growing design resources on East Coast.
| Aug 24, 2012
Meis heads to Woods Bagot Sport
Staples Center, Paul Brown Stadium architect to leverage global studio to serve clients worldwide.
| Aug 21, 2012
Under 40 Leadership Summit slated for October 3-5 in Chicago
Attendees will be given an exclusive technical tour of Wrigley Field, led by Steven J. Jacobsen, CDP, who has been retained by the Chicago Cubs to create the business plan and high-level concepts to evaluate the feasibility of various renovation options for this iconic sports venue; and Carl Rice, Cubs’ Vice President, Baseball Operations.