An architecture firm has unveiled seemingly crazy plans to build the world’s tallest skyscraper, an unusual U-shaped building beyond “the sky’s the limit”, The Sun reports.
The “Big Bend” project is the idea of the architecture firm Oiio FOTO via The Sun
The “Big Bend” project, envisioned for Manhattan, New York, proposes a stunning building consisting of an inverted U with a length of 1200 meters from one end to the other.
The curved shape was thought of as an economical solution against the backdrop of strict planning legislation – given that a skyscraper is more expensive the taller it is.
Real estate companies thus exploit a law that allows them to buy air rights from neighboring buildings.
Thanks to a curved design, the building takes up more space in the sky, while also being cheaper, because it saves on the cost of height.
On the other hand, if it were not curved, it would be much more difficult to obtain the authorization for the architectural design.
If realized, the project would revolutionize skyscraper architecture.
For example, elevators would travel in curves, horizontally and in loops.
The building, if completed, would be 200 feet taller than One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower, the tallest building in New York City.
The American architecture studio Oiio designed the plans for this unusual skyscraper.
The “Big Bend” project is the idea of the architecture firm Oiio FOTO via The Sun
Designer Ioannis Oikonomou explained: “There are many ways in which a building can stand out, but to do so, the building must literally stand out.
“If we could bend the structure instead of bending the New York rules, we would have the opportunity to build one of the most prestigious buildings in Manhattan. Big Bend can become a modest architectural solution to Manhattan’s height restrictions”he explained.
Despite the innovative concept, the Big Bend project attracted criticism mainly because of its proportions.
According to De Zeen, some of New York’s greatest architects have expressed an unfavorable opinion of the large number of very tall skyscrapers in this city.
“(Architect) Steven Holl said the buildings symbolized inequality in architectural form, while Liz Diller said the city risked being “swallowed up by dollar”, wrote the specialty website.
“Locals have also expressed concerns about the skyscrapers, complaining, for example, that they will overshadow Central Park.”
Architectural Digest ran images of the sketch, captioning it: “This skyscraper risks ruining New York’s skyline.”
Oiio is reportedly eyeing “Billionaire’s Row,” south of Central Park, as a location for construction, but the costs per square foot are exorbitant.
“It seems that the height of a property works as a license to make it as expensive as possible. New York City’s planning laws have given rise to a particular set of tricks by which developers try to maximize the height of their property to give it the prestige of a tall structure.” company representatives explained.
