Can a Skyscraper Really Change Its Shape?

[fuzzyfelt]

The rotation is quite slow, but certainly the orientation from one's front door to the elevator would change.

The Hyatt Regency hotel in Houston had a rotating restaurant and lounge, and it was interesting to sit at the window. I really didn't notice the movement - it was very slow - but over time I'd realize I was looking at a different view.

This looks like a really fun idea but yes, a bit like a revolting restaurant!

 

[DaveC426913]

Aren't those islands something else? I guess they have no environmental regulations...want to make an island? No problem - go ahead!

I suppose being "over the top" is a lot easier when cost is no object.

Not a lot of environmental regs in a desert.

BTW, there's been a lot of complaints about Palm Island and The World. Turns out, the reality doesn't quite live up to the brochure.

 

[GeorginaS]

I'm not certain how I'd feel about not knowing my general orientation in space when I woke in the morning. I wonder how uncomfortable it would be to wake every morning, look out the window and not be sure of what was going to greet you. I suppose, like anything else, you'd get accustomed to it, eventually.

It's interesting architecture. It strikes me almost as a "we're going to do it simply because we can" project and not something that will take off wholesale. Watch me be totally wrong about that, too.

 

[DaveC426913]

I'm not certain how I'd feel about not knowing my general orientation in space when I woke in the morning. I wonder how uncomfortable it would be to wake every morning, look out the window and not be sure of what was going to greet you.

I doubt that superstars who buy $40 million summer getaway homes in the Middle East feel the need for a warm & fuzzy static view out their front window.

 

[AhmedEzz]

who do you think these "superstars" are? Hollywood superstars?

 

[DaveC426913]

who do you think these "superstars" are? Hollywood superstars?

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/why-is-dubai-swarmed-by-celebrities-74537.html". Among others.

 

[Chi Meson]

I read in the article that the floors will be turned by wind turbines that are between each floor. Wouldn't it be great is such wind turbines were put to useful work instead? Reather than a huge turbine on the roof, dozens of smaller turbines adding to the generation of electricity close to the points of use. That's something worth pursuing.

 

[Moonbear]

I read in the article that the floors will be turned by wind turbines that are between each floor. Wouldn't it be great is such wind turbines were put to useful work instead? Reather than a huge turbine on the roof, dozens of smaller turbines adding to the generation of electricity close to the points of use. That's something worth pursuing.

The early versions I read about said those turbines would also provide power for the residents, not just turning the building. I think that may be the most useful long-term aspect of this project, if it really happens. If people can see first hand that this huge, moving building has its own wind-generated power supply, perhaps incorporating that into future, less "showy" buildings would be an easier sell. This one seems more like the billboard for advertising the "green" technology.

 

[lisab]

With all the spinning turbines and rotating floors, I wonder if there will be issues with noise and/or vibration.

I've been in a rotating restaurant that had a somewhat disconcerting bounce-vibration in the floor. When I'm 20 stories off the ground, I like having the feel of terra firma under my feet!

 

[mgb_phys]

When I'm 20 stories off the ground, I like having the feel of terra firma under my feet!

In these buildings the floor is usually cantilevered off the central core anyway so no real difference. Assuming there is an elevator shaft the central core is not going to be rotating
The fun bit is going to be hooking up services, especially water and sewage, if the floor doesn't rotate at the centre.

 

[edward]

I would imagine the buyers of apartments that face Mecca at call to prayer 6 times per day will have to pay a big premium.

 

[WarPhalange]

If I design a building, and build it in Dubai, then I can say that Americans can design a building. That is how it works. Fisher didn't take his design to Dubai because "Dubai has the technology to build it and America doesn't." Some guy in Dubai has the cash, that's all.

Technology is the "smarts" as well as the machinery. I'm not flag-waving here saying "we're number one" or anything stupid like that. Especially considering that many nationalities are probably represented in the designing phase of every technological advancement. But I think it is incorrect to say that the US is far behind in "technology." That's too broad a statement to be true. Understanding what can be done with current materials and methods is what lead to the breakthrough design of this building. If American technology was so far behind the rest of the world, then this building could not have been designed because the materials could not have been understood.

This really isn't too hard. Japan has electronics that we don't = we are behind Japan. I don't care if the Military has them or that we can build them. That doesn't matter in the slightest. The public doesn't see it therefore we don't have it.

Just like if I were to give you some food, but instead put it in the fridge and lock it shut. Do you have the food? No, because you can't eat it. It's just there and that's pointless.


"We could but we just don't want to." isn't an excuse.

 

[Chi Meson]

The fun bit is going to be hooking up services, especially water and sewage, if the floor doesn't rotate at the centre.

I was just thinking about how they do that. Electrical connections would be "simple" but what about those fluid and "effluent" pipes? One thought is that each floor has its own clean water cistern and waste/grey water holder. At one point on the circular route there might be valves that refill or release the specific fluids.

Interesting problem.

 

[Chi Meson]

Japan has electronics that we don't = we are behind Japan.

That statement I can agree with. Your original statement, I still do not.

 

[WarPhalange]

That is my original statement.

 

[Crosson]

I read in the article that the floors will be turned by wind turbines that are between each floor. Wouldn't it be great is such wind turbines were put to useful work instead? Reather than a huge turbine on the roof, dozens of smaller turbines adding to the generation of electricity close to the points of use. That's something worth pursuing.

Wouldn't the sound of these wind turbines be deafening?

And what about the sound of the motors etc which rotate the parts of the building?

 

[GeorginaS]

I doubt that superstars who buy $40 million summer getaway homes in the Middle East feel the need for a warm & fuzzy static view out their front window.

Well, I suppose I'm not a "superstar" because I enjoy feeling properly oriented. It's got nothing to do with warmth and/or fuzziness, either. It's got to do with having traveled constantly for a decade of my life and it taking me a very long time of sleeping in different hotel rooms to adjust to the concept of not knowing where I am. I swore they should make hotel rooms standardised so I'd always know which direction the bathroom was when I woke at 3:00 a.m.

I don't enjoy feeling disoriented. Maybe if I were a "superstar" I wouldn't have that issue.

 

[Chi Meson]

That is my original statement.

Japan has an advanced infrastructure and market for electronic gadgets. But electronics and Japan have nothing to do with this building that is planned to be built in Dubai, nor why it is not first being built in the US. I also don't agree that the statement "Japan has better cell phones and better cars" (although quite true) equates with "US is pretty far behind" [everyone else?] in technology. I have a broader interpretation of that word than you.

So I think we can see each other's point of view; let's get out of the way of the OP.

 

[Kurdt]

Why is everyone so bothered that its not being built in the US first?

 

[Chi Meson]

Why is everyone so bothered that its not being built in the US first?

Personally, I'm not. This design is currently planned to be built second in Moscow, then third in the US. By that time they'll have worked out the bugs, and the costs will be less. We'll also know if the damn thing doesn't work by then. This building is radically new in design and building methods. Who wants to keep the first one of anything like that?

US architecture and structural engineering is responsible for many of the signature buildings around the world. This is a much better way for the world to see us.

 

[AhmedEzz]

US architecture and structural engineering is responsible for many of the signature buildings around the world. This is a much better way for the world to see us.

Quite agree, I hope the stupid wealthy Arabs could get that in their heads.

 

[Kurdt]

I was under the impression the architect was Italian.

 

[DaveC426913]

Why is everyone so bothered that its not being built in the US first?

Because much of America, due to their insular culture and media focus, are convinced that they're the greatest nation in the world?

 

[Chi Meson]

I was under the impression the architect was Italian.

YOW! Totally correct, he is Italian. His company, Dynamic Group, is based in New York, so I made an erroneous assumption. I guess I should have recognized that classic Italian name

So, an Italian architect's American company is going to build revolutionary towers in Dubai, Moscow, and New York... The whole nationality thing is absurd isn't it?

 

[Chi Meson]

Quite agree, I hope the stupid wealthy Arabs could get that in their heads.

Dubai has a lot of wealth, that's for sure, and they are using that wealth to create the most amazing, modern city on Earth. I don't think that's stupid.

 

[AhmedEzz]

How about investing their money in something that is really worth it? universities, schools, cultural education, research & development, finding alternatives to oil, etc... they are so stupid they can't even look for 50 years ahead.

 

[Chi Meson]

Hey, we RE-elected Bush. We got as much stupid as anyone else.

Dubai has established itself as hub of commerce that goes beyond oil. This is a city that will last. Their public education has gone from zero to, well, something in only ten years. Back to the OP, here's a video on the tower with popup info. Get this: YOU CAN PARK YOUR CAR IN YOUR APARTMENT! (EDIT: Ignore the last popup which says "courtesy of Americans paying $4/gallon for gasoline.")


I totally love this building!

 

[DaveC426913]

How about investing their money in something that is really worth it? universities, schools, cultural education, research & development, finding alternatives to oil, etc... they are so stupid they can't even look for 50 years ahead.

I don't understand your viewpoint. Do you not understand capitalism? This is a profit-making venture. The city/country will reap money from it, (not just local buyers, but from the usual international attention and tourism).

Are you next going to suggest Royal Cruise Lines shouldn't build cruise ships?

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Are you next going to suggest Royal Cruise Lines shouldn't build cruise ships?

I think he's saying Royal Cruise Lines should have a ship level for math tutoring and reading lessons

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

There's nothing wrong with American technology. The local bar spins around plenty. I found that if I put one hand on the bar and wrap my arm around my wife, I can keep the whole thing stable. Beat that Dubai.