Oasys, specialists in building design and pedestrian simulation software, have explored the new cutting-edge structures that are appearing in our streets and how they are combatting the complex issues that we face today.

The world’s population is predicted to increase to 11.2 billion by 2100 and it is estimated that almost all of the population growth will occur within our cities. In 1930, only 30% of the world’s population lived in cities – compared to around 50% today; by 2050 66.7% of the world’s population will live in cities.

Therefore, when designing new structures, architects must keep in mind sustainability and how they can innovate buildings for urbanised areas.

Indoor garden space

In urbanised areas, access to green spaces is becoming limited. To combat this, architects are designing buildings that incorporate garden areas in their structure. Examples of these are mostly seen in the East where they encourage biodiversity and help tropical spaces thrive.

Nanjing Green Light House

This light house is unlike any other – through its round structure and sophisticated façade designs, it is able to gain 200 LUX natural daylight for all working spaces. Situated in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China it is one of the first zero carbon buildings in mainland China.

It was designed with China’s vast and natural foliage in mind as the natural landscape becomes as important as the building itself. Through natural ventilation techniques, exposed windows and moveable skylights, anyone can enjoy this working space that incorporates natural designs.

Oasia Hotel Downtown

This hotel acts as a vertical garden that stands amongst the urbanised area of downtown Singapore. This tropical skyscraper counteracts the Central Business District within the Tanjong Pagar area, and is meant to act as a prototype for how urban tropics will function within man-made landscapes.

A series of sky gardens are situated inside the hotel, providing public areas for recreation and social interaction within an inner-city environment. Each sky veranda is open-sided, which allows natural breezes to pass through the building for good cross-ventilation without the need for air-conditioning units. The building is also considered a natural haven for wildlife, with an overall green plot ratio of 1,100% – reintroducing biodiversity into the city that was initially driven away through construction.

Rotating tower blocks

The latest in innovative apartment blocks is the world’s first rotating sky scraper, set for completion in 2020. It was designed by Israeli-Italian architect David Fisher and is expected to constantly change in shape as it rotates. Though each apartment will be able to rotate 360 degrees independently, the speed will be adjustable, and the stationary core will contain the elevator with apartments off-shooting this core.

With climate change and sustainability in mind, the structure is proposed to power itself, as there will be wind turbines between each floor, negating the need for excessive power supplies from fossil fuels. An apartment will not come cheap, with prices set to be at around US $30 million. This is an exclusive project for those who want to pay the price to be at the forefront of innovation.

Sources

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/dubai-in-line-for-worlds-first-rotating-skyscraper

https://www.eboss.co.nz/detailed/pamela-bell/tall-timber-construction-new-updates

https://www.hawkinsbrown.com/news-and-events/press/tall-in-timber

https://www.wired.com/2015/04/20-buildings-show-future-architecture/

http://www.businessinsider.com/see-the-future-collection-2011-6?IR=T#rumored-foster-and-partners-new-apple-campus-on-june-7th-apple-founder-and-ceo-steve-jobs-presented-his-idea-for-a-new-apple-campus-at-the-cupertino-city-council-10

http://weburbanist.com/2009/05/27/unbuilt-buildings-12-awesome-future-architectural-designs/

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/these-6-new-buildings-are-the-future-of-sustainable-architecture

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150901-is-the-world-running-out-of-space