A NEW Tower May be The World's Largest Tower...for a Short Time

A new Dubai tower, currently named the Dubai Creek Tower, will be the tallest tower in Dubai.  According to CCN Online it "would be ready in time for Dubai Expo 2020."  The current tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai at 2,717ft.  CNN goes on to report:  "When completed, this new 3,045ft tower will best the Burj by a massive 322ft."  The Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest building in the world.

This will be great and a significant milestone.  The problem is that another building is currently underway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, The Jeddah Tower (formerly known as the Kingdom Tower), when it is finished will be 3,045ft making.  As of July 2017, 58 floors have been completed on the Jeddah Tower.

The new Dubai Creek Tower currently has only a 236ft deep foundation footprint.  The tower was designed by architect, Santiago Calatrava.   This structure is different than the Burj Khalifa and the Jeddah Tower.  It does not contain habitable space.  It is similar to the Eiffel Tower, CNN Tower in Toronto, or the Tokyo Skytree (currently the tallest "tower").  It will feature an observation deck and a "capacious Hanging Gardens of Babylon-style floors."   There will not be any floors that contain residential or commercial space.

Read more in the CNN article:    http://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/15/architecture/dubai-creek-tower-building-progress/index.html

A NEW Super Tall Building is proposed in New York

OIIO STUDIO  

A new "supertall" skyscraper has been proposed for New York.  The inverted "u-shaped" tower would be 4000 ft, the longest tower in the world and would stand at its curve approximatley 200 ft higher than One Trade Center, which is tallest tower in New York.  The design is by architect Ioannis Oikonomou. who was influenced by the technology of horizontal elevators.

“'If we manage to bend our structure instead of bending the zoning rules of New York we would be able to create one of the most prestigious buildings in Manhattan,'” he continued. “'The longest building in the world. The Big Bend can become a modest architectural solution to the height limitations of Manhattan.'”  The building is proposed to be built to the south of Central Park on 'billionaires row.'

I'm not sure that I like the design.  What do you think?

Reference:
"The Big Bend: U-shaped New York Skyscraper seeks 'Longest in the World Title."  Moore, J. 2017. http://www.newsweek.com/big-bend-u-shaped-new-york-skyscraper-seeks-longest-world-title-575267/.

UPDATE on the tallest building in the WORLD under construction

Known as Kingdom Tower this will be the world's tallest skyscraper will be 3,300 ft. and 170-stories.   The building is currently under construction in Jedda Saudi Arabia, at 26-floors.  When completed in 2018 the structure will supplant the Burj Khalifa (2722 ft), as the tallest building in the world.   Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill Architecture, a Chicago-based firm, created the design for the Kingdom Tower.

Of course this will all be dwarfed if the previous posting for a mega-tall tower is funded and ever moves beyond the stage of proposal.

We've been tracking this building for a while before construction began.  It has been interesting the varying height and design proposals along the way.

That's over 1k.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3340059/World-s-biggest-tower-gets-ahead-Saudi-developer-secures-funds-complete-Jeddah-City-3-280ft-skyscraper.html

http://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/middle-east/bye-bye-dubai--the-worlds-tallest-tower-costing-about-3-billion-isnt-where-youd-think-it-is/news-story/9e30e86c7c145681767232effbeb8d9a

Another tallest SKYSCRAPER proposed for: BASRA???

This thing is monstrous.   If it is ever built, it it would be the world's tallest skyscraper. Assuming that another tower isn't erected which is mightier than Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Tower in Jeddah when is currently under construction and if it is finished in 2019, will be the world's tallest building.

It is fascinating that this tower is proposed for Basra, Iraq.  How audacious, is that.   The building and the locale both of which defy gravity in so many literal and figurative ways.  It is designed by British-Iraqi architecture firm AMBS.  The firm wants to create a 'virtual city.'

Here is an illustration of the proposed design:

The actual height of Kingdom Tower seems to be a moving target.  But the illustration below projects the three tallest buildings in the world, assuming Kingdom Tower (under construction) and this, "The Bride of the Gulf" are completed.

Illustrations and article:   http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/nov/20/the-worlds-tallest-building-planned-in-ex-warzone-basra-iraq

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/nov/20/the-worlds-tallest-building-planned-in-ex-warzone-basra-iraq

NEW Manhattan Residential SKYSCRAPER: 56 Leonard

http://56leonardtribeca.com/home/

Herzog & de Meuron have designed an iconic tower in the New York skyline. 56 Leonard is a 60-story vertical glass expression of sculpted surfaces, cantilevers and sparkling glass.
  

This “new generation” of glamorous sky high towers taking over the Manhattan skyline is a jenga-inspired building that will stand at approximately 821 feet tall.

It will be TriBeCa's tallest tower and the top ten floors are penthouses.

http://56leonardtribeca.com/home/

 http://56leonardtribeca.com/home/

http://56leonardtribeca.com/home/

http://56leonardtribeca.com/home/

NORDSTROM's TOWER in NYC will be world's tallest RESIDENTIAL TOWER

A new skyscraper is going up in midtown Manhattan which will be the tallest residential tower in the world and the the fifth tallest building in the world.  It's spire will top out at 1775 ft, just a foot lower than 1WTC but the actual roof height will be 1479 ft versus WTC's 1368 ft.  

The building, with an estimated completion date in 2018 is a super-slim, super-tall, tiered skyscraper. The first seven floors will house a Nordstrom's store and the remainder of the building will residences.  

The building was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the firm responsible for Dubai's massive Burj Khalifa which is the tallest building in the world.   This building joins another of new proposed super tall towers in NYC.  Exciting.

For more information:

http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2014/07/09/extells_nordstrom_tower_to_almost_match_one_world_trade.php.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2687728/New-Yorks-Nordstrom-Tower-tallest-residential-structure-world.html

New TALLEST building in the WORLD begins construction in SAUDI ARABIA

Please click on photos to enlarge!

Photo Source:  Mace Group via The Independent.   Artist rendering of the completed building.

Previously, we featured (click here) a posting on a proposed skyscraper Kingdom Tower (in the illustration below at far left) that if built would be the tallest building, replacing the Burj Khalifa (second from the left in the illustration below).    This will dwarf the Burj by approximately 600 additional feet.

This illustration shows just how much taller this new building will be.  It also shows the tallest buildings in 2020, as currently proposed.  As you can see this thing dwarfs everything.  The taller, the better is m y motto!

Photo source:  http://blog.construmatica.com based upon information from Council of Tall Buildings.

The next architectural achievement is scheduled to begin construction next week in the new Saudi Arabian city Kingdom City in Jeddah.   Once completed, the skyscraper  will be 1km (3,280 feet) high and 200 floors.  That's approximately two thirds of a mile.  Truly Astonishing.   Why is it that mankind can create such astonishing profound achievements when we still act like cave men with our political warring and religious conflict?

The towering structure will feature 98-foot terrace on the 157th floor.

Photo source Adrian Smith+Gordon Gill Architecture / dapd, Huffington Post

I don't think it's possible to even truly understand the extraordinary height and accomplishment that this building will be.  The two photos below give just a hint of perspective.  Frank Lloyd Wright proposed in 1956 a mile high tower.  Kingdom Tower seems both inspired in design and certainly in ambition of a mile high.  The original specifications for Kingdom Tower were that it would be a mile high but it has been scaled back….but not by much!

Photo Source:  Looking up at the terrace.  This perspective gives a hint at how massively tall this building will be.

Photo source: Urukia via Huffington Post. Model of Kingdom Tower currently under construction.

Photo Source:  www.steinerag.com.   Frank Lloyd Wright Press Conference, October 16, 1956. 

The building is projected to cost US$1.23 billion.  It was designed by American architect Adrian Smith, who also designed the Khalifa tower.  The tower is being built by Saudi Arabian Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, the wealthiest Arab in the Middle East and nephew of King Abdullah.   Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal is Chairman of the Board of Kingdom Holding Company who is spearheading the creation of the creation of this new city, Kingdom City.  The overall budget for Kingdom City is currently estimated at US$20 billion.

Kingdom City will be located just north of the the coastal city of Jeddah and essentially creating a new district in the metropolitan area.

Photo source:  The Independent.  Artist rendering of the completed building by Mace Group.

Photo source:  The Independent.  Artist rendering of the completed building by Mace Group

This is such a giant leap for mankind (sorry for the cliche).  Last century it was the US that drove such achievements.  This century it appears to be the Middle East/Asia that is truly pushing mankind forward as far as accomplishment.

Well HELLO gorgeous: new building in SUZHOU, CHINA

A new gorgeous building, "Gate of the Orient", is under construction in Sozhou.   It's been criticized by some who say it looks like a pair of pants (As per the Daily Mail : "Architectural triumphs or just plain pants?:  China's latest superstructures resemble a giant pair of long johns… "(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gate_to_the_East) .

Others have praised it.

I fall into the later category.  I think it is elegant.  How about you?

The new skyscraper which will top out at 980 ft. (74 floors) is currently under construction in China.    Here's a photo of building under construction from 2012.   Architecture (and all photos) by RMJM an international.  RMJM's, an international architectural firm, work encompasses architecture, sustainable design, urban planning, and master planning http://www.rmjm.com/profile/ .

Gorgeous new TOWER design for Jakarta Indonesia

This is a stunning new design by architects US architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).   Created for the state-owned energy company, Pertamina, the large-scale project will feature a performing arts and exhibition pavilion, a mosque, and a central energy plant in addition to the office tower. Rising more than 1739 ft (530 metres) above Jakarta, the tower will be a new landmark on the capitol's skyline. 

The unique, elegant design features an integrated "wind funnel" that generates energy from prevailing air currents.The new tower will be the tallest building in Indonesia and one of the tallest buildings in the world once completed  (the new One World Trade Center is 1,776 feet but that includes a 406 ft antenna).



I've always wanted to go to Jakarta after seeing the fantastic movie, The Year of Living Dangerously, with Sigourney Weaver, Mel Gibson and Linda Hunt decades ago.  Guess I'll have to wait unit 2020 to finally visit so that I can see the finished Pertamina tower.






ttp://www.dezeen.com/2013/12/11/som-indonesia-skyscraper-harness-wind-power/

New TALLEST building in China

Gorgeous, isn't it.   Very elegant and shapely.  Shanghai Tower, eponymously named, just topped out a few days ago in China and now is the tallest building in Asia.

At 2,073ft (632 metre) structure, Shanghai Tower stands in the city’s Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, beside the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center.   It is the tallest building in Asia and the second-tallest building in the world, after 2,716.5ft-tall Burj Khalifa.

Perhaps even more impressive than the structure’s height will be its form. The semi-transparent building twists as it rises – its spiralling form is meant to reduce wind load by 24 per cent during typhoons. Designers claim the curve is also meant to “symbolise the dynamic emergence of modern China.”

An undulating, curving tower, this will become the tallest of many planned curved or spiraling skyscrapers in the works around the world (see previous blog entries:  http://markgsmusings.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-want-to-live-in-this-cool-building.html and http://markgsmusings.blogspot.com/2009/08/those-dubai-dudes-are-really-amazing.html).

Shanghai Tower is the creation of US-based architectural firm Gensler, whose other developments include Houston’s Hess Tower and Farmers Field in Los Angeles. The 121-story building will include offices, numerous entertainment venues, retail units, a conference centre, cultural attractions and a luxury hotel.

The building will be joined by a number of other Chinese record breakers in time. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat last year found that nine of the 20 tallest buildings currently under construction worldwide were being built in China. Last month it was announced that construction of what would be the world’s tallest building (see earlier blog:  http://markgsmusings.blogspot.com/2013/07/chinas-proposed-new-tallest-building-in.html) had begun in Changsha in China’s Hunan province.

Construction on the building was begun in 2008.   That means that the construction of the future tallest building in the world that I discussed a couple of days ago (click here: http://markgsmusings.blogspot.com/2013/07/chinas-proposed-new-tallest-building-in.html) is all the more remarkable, because, assuming it is built, as proposed, would be completed in just months.   This really interesting photo study of the construction process is fascinating.    Particularly the photo which shows the framework built to create the exterior shape.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ultratravel/the-next-big-thing/10231608/Shanghais-new-landmark-Chinas-tallest-building.html

Proposed Mumbai Skyscraper Will Be Its Tallest and Greenest

 Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture‘s proposal for Mumbai’s tallest building, the Imperial Tower, which will be a slender 116-story, 400-meter residential skyscraper. According to AS+GG, the svelte structure the extremely tall and thin tower is designed (two adjectives you don’t normally associate with sturdiness). 

All images courtesy of AS+GG

The tower, if built, will include "sky gardens," which have been designed to "dampen" wind eddying about the tower helping the structure to stand strong against a sudden gale. 

AS+GG designed the skyscraper to minimize its effects on climate change. Environmentally friendly features include rainwater harvesting, gray water recycling, and exterior cladding to limit solar heat gain. A fascinating aspect of the design is the possibility that the apartments’ kitchens and bathrooms could be prefabricated by a local factory.

It's beautiful.......wonder if it will be built.

All images courtesy of AS+GG

All images courtesy of AS+GG

All images courtesy of AS+GG

All images courtesy of AS+GG

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/design/2013/05/will-mumbais-tallest-skyscraper-be-its-greenest-too/5500/

Skyscrapers of the FUTURE in an annual competition from eVolo

Architecture magazine eVolo conducts an annual competition for submissions from architects, designers and artists for the most cutting edge designs for the future.  The winner (which is not shown here, BTW) was unusual, as were the other submissions.  I didn't like the winner so much so I'm not highlighting it.

My favorites, though, are included below.

One of the most interesting and provocative submissions is a picture of mobile buildings on the planet, Mars, which really captivated my imagination.

What a great and unusual annual competition.  Check out the magazine's website at http://www.evolo.us.

I discovered this topic at Daily Mail Online at:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2295583/Skyscrapers-future-The-weird-wonderful-architectural-designs-unusual-buildings-really-stand-up.html