Tag Archives: skyscraper

The World’s Largest Building Is All Set To Be Built In Saudi Arabia By 2030

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Saudi Arabia is currently constructing a spectacular skyscraper called the Mukaab! The impressive build will adopt the form of a tall cube. It will stand tall at a height of 1,312 feet in the capital of Riyadh. It will also be as long and wide as it is tall and could fit around 20 Empire State Buildings inside of it, according to the Saudi Government’s Public Investment Fund. Bloomberg says it will be the world’s largest building! How incredible!

Designer: AtkinsRéalis & New Murabba

The exterior will be decorative and intricate, drawing inspiration from traditional Islamic architecture. The interior will occupy a floor space of 2 million square meters. The center will include a massive twisting tower, imagine a large box with another large twisting structure within it. It will also feature a holographic system that will showcase underwater and otherworldly scenes within the cuboidal structure. Currently, there aren’t too many details about this feature, but it does sound quite exciting.

“New Murabba will also construct a temporary bridge that will serve as a critical enabler, connecting the construction site by crossing King Khalid Road,” said developer New Murabba’s press release. “This connection will facilitate ongoing development and pave the way for the initiation of Mukaab piling in the coming months. The bridge is expected to reduce approximately 800,000 truck movements on public roads for earthworks alone, showcasing a positive impact on the surrounding infrastructure. With around 900 workers on-site daily, work is advancing rapidly, bringing the destination closer.”

The excavation work for the Mukaab is almost over, and nearly 350 million cubic feet of earth have been removed. This work needed the usage of 250 excavators every day, and around 400 pieces of equipment to handle all the soil. The construction workers devoted nearly 3 million hours of labor. A bridge is also being built to ensure smooth operation and processes. The Mukaab will complete construction in 2030.

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This Conceptual Skyscraper Was Optimized By AI To Increase Biodiversity & Ecological Thriving

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Dubbed the Eden Tower, this conceptual structure was created by the design studio Oxman. Oxman has come up with a new system called “ecological programming” which is designed to enhance and promote green architecture. The studio utilized the system to create this impressive skyscraper with several planted platforms. The plan was developed in the studio’s newly opened Foster + Partners-designed lab in Manhattan. The plans and models of the skyscraper showcase a bunch of circular forms stacked on top of each other, with a central element offering support to some of the levels, while other levels are suspended from different columns.

Designer: Oxman 

“We are figuring out how to create master plans, building layouts, and building forms that increase biodiversity and resilience and ecological thriving,” said Oxman. “And we have devised a new approach for this called ecological programming.”

Oxman founder Neri Oxman states that the skyscraper is a demonstration of the “ecological programming” technique. This technique employs computation to build layouts that take into consideration different factors such as wind, sunlight, and contamination. By doing so, they create structures that look after the ecosystem and do not adversely affect the environment, and the cities they’re located in. The buildings elevate biodiversity and even improve the urban heat. This is quite an exciting feat since AI was utilized to design “building forms that increase biodiversity”.

The different levels of the skyscraper will feature diverse landscapes and topography. Few of the levels will be open air, while others will be enclosed glass spaces created for human habitation. At the moment, Oxman is putting together and collecting data that will be used in these programs. This data is collected via “capsules” in the on-site wet lab, and they were created with the goal of increasing biodiversity.

“The capsules provide us with physical data that informs a computational design process at the center of Eden. Now, with conventional architectures throughout history, we’ve become very good at designing for humans, because we can talk to humans. We can understand what they need. Nonhumans are not like that. They don’t speak the same language as us, so we need to develop a data-driven approach that allows us to figure out the parameters that they need to thrive if we want to effectively design for them,” said Oxman studio head of ecology Nicolas Lee.

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The World’s New Tallest Timber Skyscraper With 55 Floors Is Set To Be Constructed In The US

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Designed by Micheal Green Architecture (MGA) has unveiled plans for an aspiring and ambitious construction in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The project is intended to be the world’s tallest timber skyscraper once it is completed! The founder of MGA is a trailblazing pioneer of modern timber construction and has worked fervently to popular large wooden structures in Northern America. This unnamed skyscraper is their next upcoming project, and it is sure to break some boundaries in the arena of timber-based architecture.

Designer: Micheal Green Architecture (MGA)

Currently, we are unaware of the exact height of the structure, but the firm has proclaimed that it will include around 55 floors. Presently, the world’s tallest timber building is also in Milwaukee, but it only features 25 floors, so the upcoming skyscraper will be much taller. The building will include ample greenery and multiple terrace areas.

“The proposed development represents a significant investment of over US$700 million, encompassing multiple mixed-use buildings,” said MGA. “The project, planned in several phases, could include up to 750 residential units, 190,000 square feet [roughly 17,600 sq m] of office space, 40,000 square feet [3,700 sq m] of retail space, 300 hotel rooms, parking spaces, and vibrant public plazas and walkways. MGA, renowned for its leadership in mass timber architecture, will spearhead the design efforts, supported by an experienced team including HGA, Gehl People, C.D. Smith, and Thornton Tomasetti.”

We aren’t sure if the skyscraper will include any concrete in its construction, but considering its height, we do believe some concrete would be included. People may have concerns that a wooden skyscraper could easily catch fire like a tinderbox, but unlike traditional lumber, modern mass timber is a pretty strong and sturdy wooden beam that can withstand fire even better than steel, on account of the way it chars, doesn’t fully burn.

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OODA’s Unusual New Towers In Albania Stand In An Amusing Ballet Pose

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OODA is known for designing unique and unusual buildings, and one of its latest creations is called the Bond Tower – a pair of skyscrapers with kinks integrated into them, creating the shape of an oversized ballet pose. The tower reminds you of New York City’s “dancing” American Copper Buildings. The Bond Tower is designed to be a mixed-use residential project, and it is tucked away in Tirana, the capital of Albania. The building is named Bond because even though both towers have their central core, they are combined into one massive structure as they rise, and the firm defines them as one single building.

Designer: OODA

We are not sure how high the building is, but the taller structure will include 50 floors, making it a bona fide skyscraper, if not a massive one. The Bond Tower features a patterned facade that draws inspiration from the traditional Albanian carpets, and the surrounding mountains and countryside. Greenery has also been integrated into the landscaping, and rooftop terraces with native flora have been included. The interior of the building will include retail spaces and offices on the lower floors and a hotel space above. The uppermost stories will include apartments, and floor space will be boosted with the help of balconies.

“Characterized by two interconnected volumes of different heights that meet in a plié in the urban landscape, creating a silhouette reminiscent of the grace of a ballet, the interplay of these forms avoids the creation of a massive urban volume, giving the building an elegant and iconic presence,” says OODA. “Inspired by the Albanian mountains, the public and green spaces integrated around the building are designed to encourage dialogue and enrich community life.”

The Bond Tower will be a wonderful architectural addition to Tirana, which has seen an amazing construction boom in the past couple of years. At the moment we are unsure when the Bond Tower will be completed, but according to OODA the initial construction work has started.

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Japan’s New Tallest Skyscraper Can Withstand Even A 2011-Style Magnitude 9 Earthquake

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Designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners, the Mori JP Tower is Japan’s new tallest skyscraper! Featuring an astounding height of 1066 ft, and located in Tokyo, the skyscraper was created to reduce grid-based energy usage by incorporating it with sustainability features. The tower is also designed to be earthquake-resistant, offering sturdy support against the country’s seismicity. It is nestled in the Azabudai Hill development – a new district amped with plenty of green space and other high-rise buildings.

Designer: Pelli Clarke & Partners

The impressive skyscraper is equipped with a glazed facade and a unique form that brings to mind the image of a lotus flower. It features a beautiful crown of four curved glass “petals”, which gives it a lotus-inspired shape and symmetry. The exterior is highlighted with bands of integrated lighting. The lighting is designed by US lighting design company L’Observatoire International, and they seem to gleam magically in the night. The interior of the building houses sixty-four floors and includes a combination of residential and office spaces. The hospitality company Aman will be taking over the top eleven floors, and they will be coined Aman Residences.

Although the Mori JP Tower is Japan’s tallest skyscraper, it is not the tallest ‘structure’. The tallest structure is the Tokyo Skyree which stands tall at 2080 ft, in fact, even the Tokyo Tower is taller than the Mori JP Tower, as it measures 1092 ft in height. However, since the two structures are essentially broadcasting and observation towers, they cannot be included in the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat’s height rankings. But despite this consideration, the Mori JP is a noteworthy construction, as it can function and stand tall in an earthquake as severe as the Great East Japan Earthquake, which had a magnitude of 9.0. This is truly a commendable feat, that will save lives, and reduce destruction. The structural steel tubes of the tower were packed with high-strength concrete, and the building was incorporated with multiple dampers to achieve this feat.

“High-strength steel and concrete components are deployed to balance the structures, and vibration-control devices are placed in core areas where vibration during earthquakes can be efficiently reduced, resulting in high resistance to shaking,” said Mori. “In addition, large-scale vibration-control devices known as “active mass dampers” will help reduce the swaying that occurs at the tops of buildings during strong winds.”

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Aston Martin Unveils A Sail-Shaped Skyscraper In Miami, Marking Its Entry Into The Real Estate World

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Automotive giants have been dipping their toes into the world of luxury high-rises, resulting in fascinating skyscrapers that are truly one-of-a-kind. Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz, and Bugatti have all been competing with one another to make their mark in the real estate world, and profit from those big bucks. And recently the Aston Martin Residences Miami was unveiled – a truly exceptional sail-shaped skyscraper. The skyscraper was first announced in 2016 and was supposed to be completed in 2021. It is the automaker’s first completed real estate project!

Designer: Aston Martin, Bodas Mian Anger & G&G Business Development

The Aston Martin Residences Miami is located at 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way, positioned near the Miami River. It has an imposing height of 817 feet, fortifying its place as an impressive tower, and making it USA’s tallest residential building south of New York City. The skyscraper was designed by Aston Martin’s design team in collaboration with architect Rodolfo Miani of Bodas Mian Anger, and G&G Business Development. The tower brings to mind the image of Burj Al Arab, and it has a unique form that instantly grabs eyeballs. It features a steel and sail-like glass exterior, paying tribute to its marina location. An impressive curvilinear shape is teamed up with a massive terrace with an infinity pool near the top.

“Spanning four full levels between the building’s 52nd and 55th floors – all interconnected by a monumental and striking glass staircase – standout amenities consist of a two-floor fitness center with views of the awe-inspiring Atlantic Ocean, an art gallery, two movie theaters, a virtual golf simulator, business center, and conference room, kids playroom, as well as a full-service spa, beauty salon, and barber shop,” says Aston Martin’s press release.

The interiors of the Aston Martin Residences Miami are highlighted with the automaker’s design language, which is conveyed through motifs and various additions such as keyless doors in Kestrel tan leather, commanding door handles, and carbon fiber reception desk areas. The tower includes 66 floors and 391 luxury residential units.

The luxurious units include one to five-bedroom apartments, various lavish penthouses, and an ultra-exclusive “Unique Triplex Penthouse” which spans over three floors and occupies 2526 square meters. There is a lovely selection of colors and furnishings to choose from. There are also different amenities such as a private butler service, art gallery, spa, and more.

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Staggered Skyscraper In Tirana Is Made Up Of 13 Cube Volumes Making It A “Unique Vertical Village”

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Designed by Portuguese studio OODA, this stunning and impressive skyscraper is made up of 13 staggered cube volumes and is intended to be the design for the Hora Vertikale residential development in Tirana. It is supposed to be unveiled in spring 2024 and is designed to be a 140-meter-tall building that will house apartments placed over a park amped with multiple public amenities.

Designer: OODA

Nestled in the Albanian capital Tirana, OODA designed the Hora Vertikale to engage with the local community and describes the towering structure as “a unique vertical village set amidst a large green city”. 13 cubes have been designed and created in seven variations, and each cube measures 22.5 meters by 22.4 meters and is seven stories tall, which is typically the height of buildings in Tirana.

The foundation or base of the building comprises three rows of three cubes, with a couple of them set apart and rotated a bit to create a narrow gap. Two side-by-side cubes sit on the top, followed by two singular ones that in turn form an expansive building that is six cubes tall. The cube at the top will be equipped with angular balconies that are supported by columns punctuating the perimeter. “Each cube embodies a unique concept related to art and is also inspired by the local vernacular,” said OODA.

What makes the building even more impressive, is that it will be made from locally sourced materials from Albanian, which will reduce its carbon footprint, and also provide support to local businesses.

“The result is a building that leaves a lasting impact on both city visitors and those who live there,” said the studio. “From a distance, the building presents distinct elevations and perceptions from different views around the city. Up close, the concept’s playful interplay reveals its secrets, and the compositions step back from the main road towards the park at the rear, creating the most adequate transition in terms of scale.”

This stunning building is set to be the latest high-profile skyscraper to be constructed in Tirana with a rather unique design that instantly grabs eyeballs.

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Architects designed this curved skyscraper to ensure the nearby buildings get enough sunlight too

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High-rises are great for views… unless you’re in the neighboring building whose sunset is now blocked by a concrete monstrosity. Designed to overcome that state of affairs, this uniquely shaped skyscraper from MAD Architects hopes to give neighboring buildings ample access to natural light and views of the sky. Located in Quito, Ecuador, the skyscraper (named Qondesa) will be the city’s tallest building, with a height of 130m (425ft.). Its rather eye-catching shape is designed to be an improvement over the rigid, vertical skyscrapers seen in most cities. The curved profile on the sides ensures that the building doesn’t always block the light for residents living behind it. As the sun rises or sets, it peeks through the building’s curves at certain intervals in the day, allowing neighbors to get ample access to natural light throughout the day and even the year.

Designer: MAD Architects

At first glance, the most striking element of the Qondesa Skyscraper is its fluid, curving façade resembling a waveform frozen mid-motion. The softened edges of the building contrast sharply with the angular urban environment around it. The design of the building emulates vines that twist together as they climb upwards. Each balcony on the Qondesa is also supplemented with lush greenery, giving the skyscraper a pleasing contrast to the concrete appearance seen in most skyscrapers. Aside from its undulating silhouette, the use of locally sourced materials contributes to the sense of unity with nature. Stone cladding blends seamlessly into native hardwoods, evoking the rugged terrain surrounding Quito. On one hand, these elements add texture and depth to the otherwise sleek lines of the tower; on the other, they serve as a reminder of Ecuador’s lush ecosystems.

The architectural design of the Qondesa serves another rather altruistic purpose too. Designed to be a pretty imposing building in Quito’s neighborhood, the skyscraper also ensures that buildings around it aren’t affected too much by its presence. The curved format ensures neighboring buildings get ample access to natural light and good views during the day. Sure, the skyscraper does end up obstructing some views, but its curved shape minimizes its overall impact, so that everyone benefits from the city’s brilliant hilly, open skyline.

“Growing from the earth to the sky, Qondesa’s exterior facade emulates twisting vines weaving around the building to taper at its top, and sprout greenery which form planters throughout the building’s balconies,” explained the team at MAD Architects. “In addition, the exterior shape of Qondesa is designed so as not to block natural light and views from the surrounding buildings.”

The building comprises urban apartments that are designed to provide a comfortable and intimate living experience. It is conveniently located near the Iñaquito Metro station, providing easy access to Quito’s main destinations. Additionally, it is situated across from La Carolina Park, a 67-hectare green space that offers a perfect blend of leisure, business, and living. The architects have created multiple amenities and communal areas too, promoting a sense of community among the residents.

MAD’s upcoming project, Qondesa, is set to be their first venture in South America. The project will be situated in Quito, Ecuador’s second-largest city with a population upward of 2.8 million. Notable towers from other famed architects like BIG’s Iqon and Carlos Zapata Studio’s Unique are also making their mark on the city’s skyline.

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The Deloitte Summit skyscraper in Vancouver was inspired by Japanese lanterns

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Based in Tokyo, Japan, Studio OSO recently completed the Deloitte Summit in Vancouver. The impressive skyscraper is inspired by Japanese lanterns, with the stacked boxes that make up its body resembling the lanterns. The stacked boxes are placed on top of each other, resulting in the 24-story skyscraper which looks like a majestic sculpture!

Designer: Studio OSO

The original plan for Deloitte Summit was created by another architect and was extremely conventional. Studio OSO decided to retain some of the original elements, but otherwise decided to give the entire plan a twist! The cube-like boxes which dominate the building are almost four stories tall and are positioned asymmetrically across the length of the skyscraper. A series of cantilevers have also been added to the setup, giving the entire structure a rather jagged and eccentric aesthetic.

“A brief study led to a completely different approach to the glass box: rather than a single extrusion, we found that multiple, smaller extrusions could achieve the same density,” said OSO. “The smaller extrusions became weightless glass cubes that were haphazardly placed on top of each other.”

The stacked boxes have all been placed in different directions, providing different views from all the offices located inside. This also creates an intriguing ‘multi-dimensional effect’ and allows the facade to have an ‘ever-changing silhouette’ that changes depending on where it’s seen from.

“The tenant does not expect to find glass floors overlooking the city, roof terraces under overhanging volumes, and vertical gardens framing views of the mountains. All this is accomplished by rearranging – rather than abandoning – the conventional glass box,” said studio OSO.

The stacked and jagged form of the building provides ‘a sense of randomness’, which was created by maintaining extremely simple floor plans, as well as a glazed paneling that brings the entire design together. Floor-to-ceiling windows span the entire facade and allow it to be illuminated at night, while the other large windows allow a generous amount of sunlight to stream in throughout the day.

The architectural studio derived inspiration from the functionality and aesthetic of Japanese lanterns, in an effort to impart a sculptural quality to the skyscraper. It’s fascinating to see how a simple Japanese lighting design completely transformed what would have been an otherwise traditional glass tower. In fact, every evening, the skyscraper will put on a performance! A little before 9 pm, the building lights will be dimmed, and the blinds will be lowered. At sharp 9 pm, the building will slowly light up, giving out a lantern-like effect!

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The “most twisted tower in the world” by Aedas is inspired by the Northern Lights

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Aedas unveiled the Dance of Lights office tower in Chongqing, China. Situated in Xingfu Plaza in the Jiangbei District of Chongqing, the mesmerizing structure features two double-curved facades, which draw influence from the Northern Lights. The curved facades give the impression that the building is in fact twisted! It’s considered to be the “most twisted tower in the world”

Designer: Aedas

“The concept of the Dance of Light was proposed to celebrate the achievement to embrace technology by the city of Chongqing,” said Aedas.

Standing tall at 180 meters, the 39-story skyscraper is marked by gentle curves and gridded panels. It was designed to be a ‘landmark building’ in the busy business district where each of the structures is inspired by stars and celestial bodies. And we love how wonderfully Dance of Lights drew inspiration from the Aurora Borealis! Aedas wanted to make the skyscraper as natural, dynamic, and elegant as the lights. And indeed, the refraction of the tower’s reflective glass further captures the essence of light and celebrates it.

The building’s facade was clad in double-curved cold form glass, which lends a very smooth exterior to the structure. The building twists at an angle of almost 8.8 degrees per floor, which is more than 1.5 times of any other skyscraper in the world, hence rightfully making it the “most twisted skyscraper” in the world! They cited a 2016 issue of the CTBUH journal to further claim this. The smooth surface is marked by vertical lines of the gridded panels or mullions which are curved and silver in color (owing to a bright silver PVF2 finish). This ensures that light reflects off the building, giving it different looks and appearances throughout the day from different angles.

“To pursue the concept of the Dance of Light, the design team set their goal to utilize light to define architecture,” said Aedas.”This is a huge challenge and through the creation of two distinctive twists, a curvaceous form is generated that allows natural light to follow the contour of the building to give character and a special signature. By integrating two opposing twists at each end of the building it will present an ever-changing facade to the urban context,” they continued.

34 floors of the building will function as offices, whereas the top five storeys will be utilized as meeting rooms and facilities, or as a “district reception space for guests”.  A block holding restaurants and cafes have been placed at a lower level, next to the building, with a twist on the roof, as an ode to the skyscraper.

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