There aren’t many things more alarming that an upright cobra ready to strike. A tower shaped like a cobra, therefore, will command a skyline.
Russian architect Vasily Klyukin released renderings for the Asian Cobra Tower, a metallic high-rise that takes the shape of the hooded venomous snake.
Though specific plans for the tower—square footage, location, construction timetable—are unknown, Klyukin and his firm said that the building could have a restaurant or night club in the cobra’s mouth, at top of the structure, and that the rest of the floors could contain offices or apartments.
Since snakes can change their skin, the Cobra Tower would be able to alter its colors, illuminating both red and blue.
“In Japan, telling someone that he is a snake means a compliment,” Klyukin said in a statement. “In China, snakes and dragons often mean the same. The symbol of wisdom and eternal life, this tower would embellish any Eastern city.”
Klyukin is a bit of an eccentric. He’s also a wealthy real estate developer, poker player, and art philanthropist. In 2013, he bid $1.5 million to take a trip to outer space with Leonardo DiCaprio.
As for the tower, no word yet if any rival firms are planning a nearby skyscraper shaped like a mongoose.
(click photos to enlarge)
Related Stories
High-rise Construction | Jan 4, 2017
In search of better data to optimize tall buildings
In spite of the ability to build tall and taller buildings—usually fully glazed, often in extreme climates with increasingly smart technologies—it could be argued that we are not similarly “rising to the occasion” in terms of optimization, writes Gensler's Russell Gilchrist.
High-rise Construction | Dec 15, 2016
Shenzhen’s newest supertall tower has topped out
The 350-meter-high building was designed by Morphosis and will provide over 2 million sf of office and retail space.
High-rise Construction | Dec 13, 2016
The tallest building in Manhattan’s Meatpacking district tops out
The office, designed by CetraRuddy, will be completed in 2017.
High-rise Construction | Dec 6, 2016
New York’s One Vanderbilt to have publicly accessible observation deck 1,020-feet above ground
The building, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox and developed by SL Green, will stand 1,401 tall.
High-rise Construction | Dec 2, 2016
Agora Garden, a twisting, plant-filled tower in Taipei, will absorb 130 tons of carbon dioxide annually once completed
The building sits just a few blocks from the LEED-Platinum certified Taipei 101, the world’s eighth tallest building.
High-rise Construction | Nov 7, 2016
Shanghai Tower wins CTBUH’s “Best Tall Building Worldwide” award for 2016
Shanghai Tower beat out three other finalists selected from 132 entries from around the world for the award.
High-rise Construction | Nov 3, 2016
Two identical Kohn Pederson Fox office towers may be headed to Wacker Drive
Murphy Development Group is looking for tenants for the $800 million project.
High-rise Construction | Nov 1, 2016
The world’s 100 tallest buildings: Which wind consultants have worked on the most?
The top firm has worked on almost half of the world’s 100 tallest buildings.
High-rise Construction | Nov 1, 2016
LEGOLAND Dubai unveils the Brick Khalifa, the world’s tallest LEGO replica building
The model is on display at the newly opened LEGOLAND Dubai.
High-rise Construction | Nov 1, 2016
Winthrop Square will give rise to Boston’s second tallest building
The building will become the tallest residential tower in the city.