Innovative Architecture: The Buildings Of The Future
Where we are going to live in the future has become an important consideration for architects; as global warming threatens where we can live, and populations increase and live longer lives – this issue is becoming increasingly significant. By 2100, the world’s population could increase to 11.2 billion, and it is estimated that almost all population growth will occur within our cities. In 1930, only 30% of the world’s population lived in cities – compared to around 50% today; by 2050, 66.7% of the world’s population will live in cities.
In order to maximise space in urban areas, architects are now creating buildings of the future to accommodate the increased demand for innovative living complexes. As we move forward and replace older designs, new builds will help to accommodate our increasingly complex living-needs.Together with Oasys, building design software specialists, we assess how the building industry is being revolutionised by these new structures.
Read more after the jump:
Garden buildings
Utilising the natural greenery that surrounds them, unlike older designs of the West, the East intends to build structures that encourage biodiversity, helping tropical spaces thrive within natural environments.
Nanjing Green Light House
Unlike a conventional light house, the Nanjing Green Light House in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China is named in this way because through its round structure and sophisticated façade designs, the building is able to gain 200 LUX natural daylight for all working spaces – making it one of the first zero carbon buildings in mainland China.
Behind the inspiration for the building’s design was China’s natural landscape, creating a hybrid between the natural and what is man-made. Through natural ventilation techniques, exposed windows and moveable skylights, anyone can enjoy this working space that incorporates natural designs.
Oasia Hotel Downtown
This hotel functions as a vertical garden amongst limited green spaces against the urban spaces of downtown Singapore. This tropical skyscraper counteracts the Central Business District within the Tanjong Pagar area, and is meant to act as a prototype for how urbans tropics will function within man-made landscapes.
Functioning as additional ‘ground levels’ in the building, the tower is made up of various sky gardens. The reason for this is that people can come together for recreational purposes within a green space. Each sky verandah is open sided, which provides natural breezes to pass through the building for good cross-ventilation without the need for air-conditioning units. The building is also considered a natural haven for wildlife, with an overall green plot ratio of 1,100% – reintroducing biodiversity into the city that was initially driven away through construction.
Skyscrapers that rotate
In downtown Dubai, a new skyscraper is being created that will rotate, which was designed by Israeli-Italian architect David Fisher. The structure was originally proposed in 2008, but after being put on hold, the structure has now been set for completion by 2020.
As it rotates, the structure will constantly change shape, as it has been built in four dimensions. The reason for this, is that the design should never look the same twice – appearing as a different building each time you look at it. Though each apartment will be able to rotate 360 degrees independently, the speed will be adjustable, and the stationary core will contain the elevator with apartments off-shooting this core.
The structure is proposed to power itself, revolutionising the way buildings can contribute positively towards climate change. There will be wind turbines between each floor, negating the need for excessive power supplies from fossil fuels. An apartment will not come cheap, with prices set to be at around US $30 million. This is an exclusive project for those who want to pay the price to be at the forefront of innovation.
Images from Citylife in Milano by Zaha Hadid Architects
