Architecture: Asian Cairns

These Asian Cairns Architect Vincent Callebaut are a fresh look at the concept of vertical farming:

"The cities are currently responsible for 75% of the worldwide consumption of energy and they reject 80% of worldwide emissions of CO2. The contemporary urban model is thus ultra-energy consuming and works on the importation of wealth and natural resources on the one hand, and on the exportation of the pollution and waste on the other hand. This loop of energetic flows can be avoided by repatriating the countryside and the farming production modes in the heart of the city by the creation of green lungs, farmscrapers in vertical storeys and by the implantation of wind and solar power stations. The production sites of food and energy resources will be thus reintegrated in the heart of the consumption sites ! The buildings with positive energies must become the norm and reduce the carbon print on the mid term."

Photo: Putra Mosque

Putra Mosque 

Photographed by KukoqNyoq

Photo: Botanical Garden of Curitiba

Botanical Garden of Curitiba in Brazil

Photo: Roppongi Hills

Roppongi Hills Arena by ehnmark

Architecture: Tiny Transforming Apartment

Tiny Transforming Apartment That Packs Eight Rooms into 350 Square Feet from Gizmodo

Via: Gizmodo

Graham Hill, founder of treehugger.com, has crowd-sourced his quest to pack as much apartment into as small a space possible. The results are something like what it might look like if Apple designed living spaces.  Very efficient, very minimalistic.

Photo: Decay

"Decay" by Matthias Haker

Architecture: Floating Observation Deck

Architecture firm SOM has proposed adding a floating observation deck that slides up and down the sides of two new skyscrapers. The moving deck is one of several public realm strategies that the firm is promoting for the 100-year-old station, following an invitation from the Municipal Art Society of New York to re-think the spaces in and around the building. SOM suggests that the hovering deck would improve the quality of the public space around the building by offering an “iconic landmark” with a 360-degree panorama of the city skyline.

Architecture: Dubai International Airport

Dubai International Airport Terminal 3

Garhoud, United Arab Emirates

Photographer: Alisdair Miller

Architecture: Namaste Tower

Namaste Tower

Mumbai, India is about to unveil a gorgeous new skyscraper to the world. Designed by Atkins Design Studio for W Hotel, the Namaste Tower aims to become a landmark structure, representing the burgeoning economic and cultural significance of India. The 62-story, 984-sq-ft tall building, which is currently under construction, will include a hotel, office and retail space. The traditional Indian greeting of “Namaste,” where the hands are clasped together, is the inspiration for the design of the tower. In Sanskrit “Namaste” means I bow to you.” It has a spiritual significance of negating one’s ego in the presence of another.

Architecture: Radisson Blu Hotel

Radisson Blu Hotel, Berlin

At first glance this may look like just another luxury hotel but once you enter it, you’ll discover the worlds largest cylindrical aquarium. 82-feet high in the heart of the hotel’s lobby atrium the AquaDom holds one million liters of saltwater and is home to many species of tropical fish. The AquaDom is maintained by the Sea Life Berlin, which is located right next to the hotel. Sea Life Berlin houses 30 freshwater and saltwater tanks, which are home to thousands of sea dwellers.

Architecture: The Brain

"The Brain" by Olson Kundig Architects

Architecture: Keelung Harbor Service Building

Keelung Harbor Service Building by Neil M. Denari Architects

Architecture: City in the Sky

Oriente Station

Architect Santiago Calatrava built the Portugese “Oriente Station” in the city of Lisbon. Built from 1993 to 1998, the train station was a preparatory part of the ’98 World Expo. But the station is not only that of a train, but passengers are able to connect to the underground system, taxis, airport and various trains.

  

Archeology: Jantar Mantar Observatory

Jantar Mantar Observatory

These remarkable constructions appear to all intents and purposes as if they could have been built to create the set for a new science fiction blockbuster set on a planet light years away from Earth. Yet these are centuries old instruments, designed and used in Jaipur, India, to explore the heavens. Their production was ordered by a great Maharaja in the early decades of the 18th century and they have been in constant use ever since.

Photo: ArcelorMittal Orbit

ArcelorMittal Orbit by Anish Kapoor / Cecil Balmond

Architecture: City in the Sky

The 'Megatropolis' project started in London with few companies and artists invited to create a vision for the future mega developed city. The overall "Megatropolis" project didn't make it to its final stage but the concept grew into this architectural utopia and animation.

City in the sky is a concept about a tranquil oasis above the mega developed and polluted city where one can escape from the everyday buzz, smog and dirt. The concept is inspired by the Lotus flower which is known for its ability to emerge above the murky waters pure and clean. As you can see, it is pretty amazing!

Architecture: Dancing Dragons

Dancing Dragons by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

Photo: The Nest

The Nest by Trey Ratcliff

Photo: Heat Plant

"Heat Plant" by Zeinstra Van der Pol Architects

Photographed by Bart van Damme

Photo: Urban Landscape