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Man-made islands, an indoor ski park,and the world's tallest building are just some of the mesmerizing sights to behold in Dubai, the Middle Eastern desert city that has become a global testing ground for abstract and futuristic projects. Back in 2008, when the celebrated Burj Khalifa became the tallest structure on the planet, a fantastical proposal by architect David Fisher of Dynamic Architecture Group was making international news headlines. The 420-metre luxury residential Dynamic Tower envisioned 80 movable floors independently operating at the whim of their residents. The project was originally supposed to be finished in 2010, but it never came off the ground. Now, in preparation for the 2020 World Expo, the plans have apparently been resurrected.
Voice activation would allow residents to control the rotation speed and direction of their floor, constantly changing their city views and exposure to sunlight. One full rotation would be achieved in 90 minutes if the maximum speed were chosen. A flexible piping system would have to be installed for plumbing purposes. If the proposed height is maintained, it would become the second tallest residential building in the world behind New York City's 432 Park Avenue. The building would easily achieve some level of LEED certification, due to its 79 wind turbines and rooftop solar panels. These energy harvesting elements would ensure the building is completely self-sustaining.
Fisher raised both expectations and eyebrows when he said the majority of the tower, with the exception of the core, could be assembled off site, making it the first prefabricated skyscraper ever. Such a move would speed up the construction process, decrease overall costs, and use less labour than a traditional highrise project.
The exact location of the tower is not known, and there's no word yet on when construction may begin, but 2020 is an ambitious target for what would become a true marvel of engineering. We'll be watching this closely, and you can too by checking out the whimsical renderings linked below in the Database file. Want to get involved in the discussion? Visit the associated Forum thread or leave a comment below.
