Cancelled Concept for Super Tall Tower in Dubai

Via Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architects

Don’t get your hopes up, this interesting futuristic tower was cancelled back in March 2009, but we just had to feature it as an example of architects thinking outside the box.

1 Dubai was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architects (AS+GG) to be the centrepiece of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill’s (SOM) Jumeirah Garden master-plan in Dubai. No specific height was ever set in stone because the project didn’t get that far, but AS+GG wanted each of the three towers to reach over 600 meters (2,000 feet). An ArchDaily article from 2008 stated that the tallest of the three towers would reach 3,218 feet. If built at that height, it would have been taller than the Burj Khalifa (2,717 feet), which was under construction at the time of proposal.

Via Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architects

The three towers of 1 Dubai would all stand at different heights and be connected by a series of skybridges. This design would allow for wider views from every tower and also guarantee a flood of sunshine throughout the day. The skybridges would feature plantlife, connecting high-rise living with the beauty of nature. Another interesting part of the design is that there is no podium, but a base from which the towers have sprouted. This base would form a bridge, allowing boats to travel beneath the tower.

Via Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architects

Via Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architects

The plan called for two hotels (5- and 6-star), luxury condominiums, commercial space, high-end retail, and entertainment venues. “On special occasions, the oasis will transform itself into one of the world’s most unique event and performance spaces, with a floating stage surrounded by barges doubling as seating banks. There will be state-of-the-art sound and light shows featuring giant holograms projected in the air and on the building’s mosaic-like glass and aluminum skin,” states AS+GG’s website.

Via Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architects

What a crazy amenity to promote as part of the design! Imagine if a Toronto condo had this feature and the amenity brochure just said: “You’ll really enjoy theatre night at 1 Toronto, with our state-of-the-art floating stage, featuring hologram technology.”  What’s crazier is that this will probably be an amenity offered in condos sooner rather than later!

Via Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architects

Even though this project was cancelled, we’re excited that there are designs out there that push the limits. If we’re going to build super tall towers, they should serve as steps into humanity’s future, telling the story of our era through architectural design.