DISCUSS: Most Futuristic Skyscraper

[wjfox]

Discuss the latest contest here.

Please note, for actual nominations, you must use the "NOMINATE" thread -
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=10142585

[hkskyline]

1. Swiss Re, London
A very unique shape for a skyscraper.



2. HSBC, Hong Kong
External frame is quite innovative for this 1980s masterpiece, now featured in a lot of architecture books.


Source : http://www.pbase.com/ssychan/

3. Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur
Skybridge poses many engineering difficulties, but they pulled it through.



There are also a lot of buildings that incorporate green designs these days as we move towards a sustainable development approach. Those buildings would also be very futuristic.

[AltinD]

Emirates Towers were featured in two Sci-Fi movies: SERENITY and CODE 44 (with Tim Robins)

[wjfox]

SwissRe, Bank of China Tower, The Center, Burj Al Arab, Emirates Towers...

[staff]

Turning Torso.

[Manila-X]

Between The Swiss Re and Torre Agbar, I find the Torre Agbar more unique since it's an oblong base.

As for The HSBC building in HK, It may not be the most futuristic but it's a Norman Foster masterpiece. The building was completed during the 80s but it's architecture is contemporary up to this day.

It's interesting that not a single Japanese skyscraper isn't mentioned here and Japanese cities is considered to be the most futuristic by many. Other than the Cityhall Tower in Tokyo, the most interesting to me is the Umeda Sky Building in Osaka

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by WANCH

Between The Swiss Re and Torre Agbar, I find the Torre Agbar more unique since it's an oblong base.

As for The HSBC building in HK, It may not be the most futuristic but it's a Norman Foster masterpiece. The building was completed during the 80s but it's architecture is contemporary up to this day.

HSBC Hong Kong is not supposed to be interpreted as futuristic from the appearance, but rather how its frame is outside, which was very unconventional at the time. The fung shui element is also very clearly displayed with an empty first floor to let the air flow through.

Japanese skyscrapers are indeed futuristic, but again not at an appearance level. There is a growing movement to incorporate urban agriculture into buildings, and researchers have even tried basement farms to utilize space more efficiently.

[Manila-X]

Yes there are alot of Feng Shui elements in the HSBC building.

As for Japanese skyscrapers, the only thing is they are not as recognized as other landmark scrapers in Asia such as The BoC or even The Petronas. It probably has to do with height.

BTW, most of the futuristic scrapers here are either coming from Asia or Europe. How about one for North America?j Fordham Spire or Freedom Tower can be example but are still planned.

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by WANCH

Yes there are alot of Feng Shui elements in the HSBC building.

As for Japanese skyscrapers, the only thing is they are not as recognized as other landmark scrapers in Asia such as The BoC or even The Petronas. It probably has to do with height.

BTW, most of the futuristic scrapers here are either coming from Asia or Europe. How about one for North America?j Fordham Spire or Freedom Tower can be example but are still planned.

There are some notable Japanese buildings, albeit not at the skyscraper level. The Hermes store in Ginza has a translucent facade.

Asia has a lot of focus and attention from skyscraper fans because of the boom in the past decade. Japan has been in an economic slump during the same period and they have often been overlooked because of the real estate market crash from the late 1980s.

How are the Fordham Spire and Freedom Tower futuristic? Do they incorporate more sustainable development features? Do they use better construction technology? Do they maximize floorspace by optimizing elevator shafts?

[great184]

On the basis of exteriority alone, SWFC and burj dubai are those kinds of buildings we used to see all the time in the sci-fi movies.

[Manila-X]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

There are some notable Japanese buildings, albeit not at the skyscraper level. The Hermes store in Ginza has a translucent facade.

Asia has a lot of focus and attention from skyscraper fans because of the boom in the past decade. Japan has been in an economic slump during the same period and they have often been overlooked because of the real estate market crash from the late 1980s.

How are the Fordham Spire and Freedom Tower futuristic? Do they incorporate more sustainable development features? Do they use better construction technology? Do they maximize floorspace by optimizing elevator shafts?

I just see how the skyscraper look and if it looks futuristic, yes I nominate it. Honestly it's either I don't care or don't pay too much attention on it's construction technology cause I'm not an engineer or an architect and would not even bother to learn more about these skyscrapers than just how they look on the outside. I'm just someone who admires skyscrapers and urbanity.

And I think there are some forumers here who would nominate a building on how it looks than it's engineering technology.

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by WANCH

I just see how the skyscraper look and if it looks futuristic, yes I nominate it. Honestly it's either I don't care or don't pay too much attention on it's construction technology cause I'm not an engineer or an architect and would not even bother to learn more about these skyscrapers than just how they look on the outside. I'm just someone who admires skyscrapers and urbanity.

And I think there are some forumers here who would nominate a building on how it looks than it's engineering technology.

You don't need to be an engineer, an architect, or a specialist to understand some of the futuristic features that are being incorporated in today's skyscraper designs. I think a high level overview is adequate to assess whether this design is futuristic, new, or a good sustainable development point. If you want to go into the more scientific details on how the processes work, then you will need more education.

Here are some examples of futuristic designs that are easy to understand for the average person :

1) rooftop gardens - help insulate the building in both summer and winter
2) deep sea cooling - some buildings now use sea/lake water to power their AC
3) plumbing - not using freshwater for flushing
4) solar power

They're simple concepts, yet are fairly new at the implementation stage, making them quite futuristic.

[Manila-X]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

You don't need to be an engineer, an architect, or a specialist to understand some of the futuristic features that are being incorporated in today's skyscraper designs. I think a high level overview is adequate to assess whether this design is futuristic, new, or a good sustainable development point. If you want to go into the more scientific details on how the processes work, then you will need more education.

Here are some examples of futuristic designs that are easy to understand for the average person :

1) rooftop gardens - help insulate the building in both summer and winter
2) deep sea cooling - some buildings now use sea/lake water to power their AC
3) plumbing - not using freshwater for flushing
4) solar power

They're simple concepts, yet are fairly new at the implementation stage, making them quite futuristic.

True. Lets take the 2-IFC for example since it's one of the few buildings that have double deck elevators. I don't know much of this building except the general info but does it have these qualities like deep sea cooling?

Anyway, here's another example of a futuristic building in Malaysia but it's not enough to be considered as a skyscraper.

Menara Mesiniaga, Subang Jaya



Designed by Kenneth Yeang, this is a perfect example of a bioclimatic skyscraper. The roof is installed with solar panels and it's base is combined with green granite with white marble and metal

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by WANCH

True. Lets take the 2-IFC for example since it's one of the few buildings that have double deck elevators. I don't know much of this building except the general info but does it have these qualities like deep sea cooling?

Double deck elevators have been around for quite some time. Toronto's Scotia Plaza has them, and it opened in the late 1980s.



The first real example of deep sea cooling in Hong Kong is HSBC. It has not caught on with the other buildings.

[Manila-X]

Oh yeah I read somewhere about HSBC's deep sea cooling but almost forgot about it.

[hkskyline]

Solar power is also starting to emerge as the concept of a 'green skyscraper' takes root. 1 Peking Road in Hong Kong has made a first step by using solar power to work the blinds. It's a really small step but perhaps over time, architects and engineers can find other feasible and cost-effective solutions.

[Manila-X]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

Solar power is also starting to emerge as the concept of a 'green skyscraper' takes root. 1 Peking Road in Hong Kong has made a first step by using solar power to work the blinds. It's a really small step but perhaps over time, architects and engineers can find other feasible and cost-effective solutions.

Yes the 1 Peking Road has some innovative features but to many HKers, it's partly underrated compared to some of the iconic skyscrapers in HK Island.

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by WANCH

Yes the 1 Peking Road has some innovative features but to many HKers, it's partly underrated compared to some of the iconic skyscrapers in HK Island.

1 Peking Road actually is very famous for its restaurants. One of the HK forumers here seems to show up there all the time.

I learned about the solar power features from a TV documentary actually. I don't think the skyscraper is being overlooked. There aren't too many in the area, and this one has a nice view.

[Manila-X]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

1 Peking Road actually is very famous for its restaurants. One of the HK forumers here seems to show up there all the time.

I learned about the solar power features from a TV documentary actually. I don't think the skyscraper is being overlooked. There aren't too many in the area, and this one has a nice view.

It's restaurants yes but as a building, it's not as known as the other HK classics. I have never eaten their nor have never been on top but their restaurants have some of the best views of HK.

[Eureka!]

Eiffle tower even has DD elevators I THNK!