When most people think of inventions and technology, they think of gadgets – computers, cell phones, MP3 players, Blu-ray and the like. But inventive new ideas are being put to practice in all sorts of fantastic ways these days: even buildings decorating city skylines.
A prime example of modern innovative architecture is the eye-catching and environmentally conscious Dynamic Tower (pictured) design from Italian architect Dr. David Fisher. Each floor of the Dynamic Tower rotates independently so the building constantly changes shape. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that the towers will be entirely self-powered – with wind turbines fitted between each rotating floor to generate and store electricity as the building turns. Dr. Fisher refers to it as a "true green power plant."
The Dynamic Tower is also distinct in that there isn't a traditional work site – rather, the building parts are constructed in workshops, brought to the site and pieced together. This approach (known as the "Fisher Method") requires fewer workers on the construction site, which lowers costs. Fisher sees his method as the future of construction, boldly predicting: "from now on, buildings will be made in a factory." Versions of the world's first "building in motion" are currently being built in Dubai and Moscow. While the Moscow tower won't be completed until 2010, the Dynamic Tower in Dubai began taking apartment reservations in June. The building will have 80 floors and be 1,380 feet tall. Next up, Dr. Fisher says his intention is to build a third tower in New York City.
While the idea of a spinning, self-sustaining building is certainly intriguing, so is the concept of a building that casts no shadows. Though it may sound like a David Copperfield parlor trick, it's actually a real design for skyscraper being built in Paris. The Le Project Triangle is a fifty-story office building/hotel designed by Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron (who also conceived Beijing's Olympic stadium). Expected to be completed by 2014, the building will be made of shiny glass and steel, and be shaped like a shark's fin. The architects claim that the distinct shape, along with the orientation of the building, will prevent it from projecting shadows on the other buildings around it. They also claim the design will take advantage of both wind and solar power. Upon completion, the Triangle will be the third tallest structure in the Paris inner city (after the Eiffel Tower and Tour Montparnasse). Prior to the Le Project Triangle, skyscrapers were banned from being built in the French capital for 31 years. Talk about coming back with a bang.
Much like both the aforementioned buildings, another innovative piece of architecture in the works – this one in India – also has green practices at its core. Hopefully, this is proof that the current focus of being green isn't just a flash-in-the-pan trend. Expected to be one of the greenest sites in India, the Cyber Park IT hub will be positioned at the center of Gurgaon – the country's up-and-coming business district. Along with facing North to help alleviate the heat of the South, Cyber Park features a design intended to bring in natural light and heat, harvest rainwater and ground water, and cut the building's energy use by over 35 percent. Other cool features of the uniquely step-structured building include a swimming pool on top of a terrace, a recreation center, all-over WiFi connectivity and a helipad. Scheduled for completion by 2011, Cyber Park is the brainchild of Christopher Charles Benninger Architects, a design firm that's vision statement includes seeking the "poetry in the place."
