“Our goal is to give the inner city an injection of contemporary elegance. A state of the art building with high quality work spaces would strengthen the multifunctional character and urban vitality of Budapest’s city centre. We perceive the need to balance divers’ requirements: Keeping the importance of the cultural heritage in mind the issue is to reconcile the functional, economic and historic preservation needs of the city centre.”
“We feel that aesthetic and atmospheric rejuvenation is always an essential part of preservation – preserving the vitality of a historic city centre. One can perceive distinguished architectural periods in the development of Budapest’s inner city fabric. Szervita Square itself is an interesting example with high quality architecture from different periods being gathered around the square. We have an important opportunity now to continue this series with another signifi cant piece of architecture that can represent the architectural thinking of our time.”
Architect: Zaha Hadid [ Via: HU ]
Japan’s Own Giant Ferris Wheel
Remember that movie Contact starring Jodie Foster as the atheistic SETI scientist who gets a second chance at climbing aboard a space craft of alien design when the first one was blown up by a crazed fundamentalist? Remember who built the second space craft? Japan! It was futuristic, hi-tech, and less hodgepodge looking than the original. I digress, even the movies know when Japan goes big, they do it better. Like building their own ferris wheel that would rival the London Eye in scale and design.
Named the Nippon Moon (hot ass name), the observation wheel would boast the first double-decker capsule design. Each of the 32 capsules hosts a different theme you can access and queue up for via a smartphone app. The app not only lets you hold your place in line without actually queueing up, but also provides augmented reality experiences like you know… Godzilla attacking the very wheel you’re spinning around in. I’m serious! You really could make Godzilla attack the wheel!
Although still in design phase, I hope they green light this project. If/when they do, hit me up. I’d love to go for a spin.
Designer: UNStudio
The Blossom Tower
Kuala Lumpur’s Menara Bunga Raya was designed for “people, profit & planet” – reflecting an emerging awareness that our most visible buildings must deliver value beyond simple economics & speak to higher aspirations. 2.5% of the tower is allocated toward public-uses, including a sculpture park, outdoor performance space, & a museum. The inside of the tower is devoted to the guiding principles of the Rukun Negara , including a Sky Walk cafe atop the tower, & a 20 story tall Hall of Hibiscuses- a vertical, living garden celebrating the national flower of Malaysia.
Designer: RAFT Architects
