The new city center designed by Dutch architects MVRDV for Gwanggyo, a city coming up 35 kms from Seoul in South Korea seems to be something taken out of the sci fi movies. Expected to be completed by 2011, the city is sufficient enough to hold 77000 inhabitants and has a design envisioned with two centers which is a mix of housing, culture, office, retail, and leisure and education spaces. Various atriums are created in the towers catering to various categories, with box hedges being planted on the roofs and terraces which in turn improves ventilation and reduces usage of energy and water.
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The new hotel, conference, and exhibition complex is coming up in the emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates can be nominated for the designer masterpiece. Designed by Nowergian architects Snøhetta, this 150km construction is expected to begin later this year. Right in the middle of the complex is the proposed 200 m tower which is a setting for a 5 star hotel which will offer panoramic view of the emirates. The space shall be utilized for various purposes as it can be developed for conference center, hotel and other commercial activities. One thing is for sure that this will be one of the most advanced centers in Dubai.
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To address the increasing verticality of urban centers and the zero impact mentality, Natalie Bonebrake started by raising the transport of the terrain thus removing its footprint. The vehicle hangs from a magnetic levitation track; this removes the need for the vehicle to have an on-board power source eliminating localized emissions, except for the electromagnetic radiation and dramatically lightening the vehicle. There is also an option for a drive train for tracking use.
Once in the pod, a destination is entered and the rail system powers the pod through the city along the appropriate route. This allows the users the comfort of taxi or subway but without all the waiting and expensive fairs.Alone the pod allows the users to travel effortlessly through the city, but once connected to the chassis it becomes even more dynamic! This system allows the user to enjoy the freedom of having a car without all the responsibilities of having a car!
Designer : Natalie Bonebrake
