Skyscraper Typology:: problems?

[JonBailey]

I just wanted to see a list of all of the problems we have with the skyscraper, podium/tower typology, that we currently build or built.
And perhaps new ways of looking at the urban context and where we should journey from here...

[allee]

The problem with the skyscraper typology is that it is a tempting target for terrorists.

This aside, the issue of horizontal circulation between skyscrapers being limited to the ground plane only is another challenge.

In addition, how to build these archetypes sustainably is another issue. Malaysian architect, Dr. Ken Yeang of Tamzah and Yeang, Architects has addressed some of these issues in his bioclimatic skyscraper projects and has published several books on this topic.

Also in areas of seismic activity, how to keep these tall buildings from falling down.

Also as a high building, wind loading is another factor.

Well, I hope this starts a more in depth thread to talk about this building type.

Allee

[JonBailey]

Increasing numbers of people are moving into the urban environment. To combat urban sprawl, there will have to be a new way of thinking about urban fabric of a city, what is a city, and what are the structures which will house the millions living within cities.

Obviously, technology will have to catch up, but first the designs need to be there -the technology will catch up.
Another major problem to address is that of the car(personal vehicle). Where does the car fit into this new plan? or does it? In my opinion, the personal car needs to be eliminated from city. Commute times are taking there toll and pollution is becoming a larger factor than ever before. New modes of personal and mass transportation need to be invented or improved upon.

How to design a building which addresses:

-verticle density
-verticle circulation
-wind loads
-energy / sustainability
-human scale
-security
-increasing number of inhabitants

[usarender]

All these typology problems have been resolved in our global pyramid project -->>

The Global Pyramid

This structure resolves many issues related to skyscrapers -->>

1. Structural limit in height and stability.
2. Resistant against terrorists.
3. The horizontal circulation is partly resolved, as the structure is connected to the global ring at the top.
4. Resistant to seismic activity.
5. Resistant to wind loads.
6. A structure to house millions and help resolve urban sprawl.
7. The personal vehicle is eliminated from access to the structure.
8. Vertical density is distributed among layers of many activities and systems and natural energy production systems.
9. Energy sustainability has been proposed.
10. Vertical circulation can be done in a central access shaft as well as secondary and tertiary shafts.
11. Security is increased as well as privacy, for those living in many levels and areas of the structure.
12. Fire resistance.
13. Self-sustaining systems.

Beyond this, the many other functions listed below -->>

Goal:

To build the world's largest structure ever built, that is economical, strong and will allow man to reach space for the lowest cost possible.

Attached is an image of the new pyramid structure.

The Size

It will be approximately 120 km wide by 140 km high.

It will reach from the earth into space.

The Purpose

To provide a global bridge to space.

The Foundation

It will be built on a base of solid stone.

The Exterior Membrane

The exterior membrane will consist of a simple affordable membrane system as follows -->>

The A core of earth and sand infill. Over this,

1. A vapor and water containment barrier of Interior multiple sheets of plastic over the interior core, to protect it from humidity and from leaking out of the interior core.

2. Next, an internal perimeter wall 200 Meters wide of plastic stones and bricks, filled with earth and sand.

3. The outer layer, an inclined stone wall 10 Meters thick.

The Interior Core

The interior core maintains concrete tube tunnels, that will house cities, shopping areas, mechanical equipment and wind tunnels to capture the energy and use it in the structure. Within the core are vertical elevators, ventilation shafts, water and support systems. If fire reaches one chamber, it will be dampered and isolated from the other chambers.

On the exterior will be mounted giant catapults that will launch the space vehicles into space without using fuel for the launch. They will be literally giant run-ways. There will be a long track. It will work on a tension system. The entire system is pulled into tension upon launch. The trigger is released gradually, with increasing pressure as the speed increases. This will catapult the space vehicles into space with no fuel used. The energy for the tension mechanism will be extracted from wind and solar panels mounted on the sides of the pyramid, and the wind channels in the core.

As stated, the interior core will be simply filled with earth and sand.

It will employ the latest in wind and solar energy collectors.

The Functions

Multiple Interior cities, global access portal, natural green energy plant.

The Scope

Global in scale. A free open project which will allow thousands of companies and individuals to participate.

Who Will Pay For It

The public, those who participate, the governments, the funding companies, the world.

In essence, we are attempting to do what one of the greatest, most powerful civilizations of all time attempted to do thousands of years ago and failed. This is no small challenge, even with today's technology. Especially considering the fact that to even construct the pyramids of Egypt with today's technology is no small feat. Until today, we still don't know for sure how the Egyptians built the pyramids.

Before embarking on a final solution, we were forced to understand some of the initial questions and technical difficulties:

1. Getting building approvals.
2. How this will interfere with man-made flying objects.
3. How to make the structure stable with economical materials.
4. How to build it in a reasonable amount of time, in a way that can be actually managed and budgeted in a way that makes sense.
5. How to get the cooperation and companies involved to build it.
6. In essence, an actual working design.

Reasons for choosing the pyramid structure:
To realize this big tower we must -->>

1. Chose a material that is light in weight, so it can be transported vertically easily, but that can made heavy, to hold much weight.
2. A material that is economical, can be massed produced, can be assembled easily.
3. Can engage global participation.
4. Resolve environmental impact issues.
5. Will resist gigantic forces of wind, rain, storms.
6. Can be done in a reasonable amount of time and for a budget that can be kept under control.
7. Can get construction approval.
8. That will survive the test of time.
9. A project that is able to engage the participation of many companies, government, and people with influence.
10. A project that is in tune with the technology of the times.
11. Construction techniques that are feasible.
12. A structural system that will allow for flexible use.
13. Allow for workers to work in sub-gravity conditions, with no oxygen and extremely high winds on the way up.

In essence, we are attempting to do what one of the greatest, most powerful civilizations of all time attempted to do thousands of years ago and failed. This is no small challenge, even with today's technology. Especially considering the fact that to even construct the pyramids of Egypt with today's technology is no small feat. Until today, we still don't know for sure how the Egyptians built the pyramids.

The pyramid is the ideal structure as it ---->>>

1. Resists lateral wind loads and storms well.
Allows for a large base and the top, when reaching the stratosphere, to be reduced in size.
2. Allows for a large base and the top, when reaching the stratosphere, to be reduced in size.
3. Allows platforms to be built on the ends, and then as the structure goes up, to fill them in as one proceeds to the next level.
4. Requires less materials up at the top, thus allowing the crews to lift less materials, as they progress.

5. Is very stable structurally.

6. It a timeless form, one that is able to resist the ages.

7. It is a form and shape that carries a multitude of symbology.

8. Makes it easy to engage global participation.

9, The pyramid is a huge city, with the inner parts of the pyramid houses millions of businesses and residences.

10. It is a full plate for developers.

11. The sides of the pyramid are used to launch vehicles into space. It is an acceleration platform into space!

12. It is a launch point for celestial balloons.

13. It will become the largest communication tower on earth.

14. The sides of the tower will house a millions of solar collectors and wind capturing tunnels in the core, that will produce energy from the strong winds at high altitudes.

How To Build This

As much as possible, we will use all natural materials available in the local area.

We will first of all place the foundation of stones.

We start building the side walls which will house the infill of earth and sand.

As we proceed up, giant vacuum shoots will suck the materials up into the land fill areas inside the structure.

This process will be continued all the way up.

Where there are interior spaces, these will be made with concrete tunnels. These tunnels can be transformed either into wind tunnels or into occupied spaces.

The structure will proceed to the highest altitudes, where workers will wear pressurized suits and equipment.

Where Will We Build This?

Possible places are the Arab Emirates, Egypt, Arizona, Africa or other desert locations with plenty of sand, silty soil and native stones and rocks. Certainly it cannot be placed on a small land mass with much drift, or an entire area could sink with the weight of the structure.

How much will it cost to build?

Total cost aprox. 140 -168 billion = that is 14 to 16.8 billion a year for 10 years. By selling stock, with 23 million people investing, that is only US$50-60 per month per person. Over 10 years, they invest only US$6000 to $7200 and when completed, their stock will be worth hundreds of thousands or even millions. How many people do you think will want to own a share of this pie? Their money invested will multiply thousands of times over.

Why 140 Km?

"The lower region of the thermosphere, from approximately 130 to 180 km, has been very difficult to explore. Satellites cannot orbit in this region because they would rapidly fall from orbit and burn up from atmospheric friction. Balloons cannot reach this altitude, and sounding rockets pass through the region too quickly to obtain more than a quick vertical profile of a particular spot."

FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS ON THE PYRAMID

At the following link -->>

http://www.designcommunity.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17818&start=45

and, on our site as well,

is shown an overlay of the pyramid on the temperature zones, showing which areas will be more usefull, habitable and the temperate regions to be faced during construction. Range 0 to 3.5 km acceptable livable space. This is equivalent to a building 120 km wide by 3.5 km high of total usable region! Now, even if we build in 5% of this useful space and place the tunnels, we have an incredibly large area of real estate! Range 41 km to 66 km acceptable livable space, indicated as areas "A" below and the black triangles and red stars. This is equivalent to a building 80 km wide by 25 km high of total usable region! These will be the habitable regions of the pyramid of greatest value. The other regions will be for storage, space exploration, mechanical systems and the like. In the final region "A", there will be an observation tower of glass, where temperatures range from 0 C to 20 degrees C or 63 F. From this vantage point, man will be able to observe the global ring, the Aurora Borealis, as well as view the spacecraft being launched into space from a distance of around 300 meters, without this craft ever being in danger of reaching the observation tower. This observation tower will be in itself a mega structure. It will be a pyramid of aproximately 10 kilometers high by 10 kilometers wide with an exterior skin of LED thermal solar panel insulated glass with water bearing sheets of glass panels that will absorb the radiant energy and convert it to heated water to supply the entire structure. It will be, so to speak, "Sitting on top of the World "! Those who own this real estate will be the new billionaires of the future.

[usarender]

If you think 3dh is so fantastic Pearl, then tell me what is wrong with the Global Pyramid?

Wait a minute, I know what you will say....

1. It will be difficult to engage support...I have heard that one already.
2. It is a dream, a fancy... I have heard that one also, not swallowing it.
3. 3dh is a much better system. Really? Prove it.
4. Why do we need the pyramid if we already have the asteroid belt? I have heard that one. But the pyramid is needed as it will be connected to the ring at the top.
5. It will take to long to build. Really? It is really a large landfill and by using the pressure differentials, we can suck up the earth and sand pretty quickly and fill it in....

Now, maybe the pyramids were built with alien technology, so how can we build this with human technology? This may be, but is speculation. In any event, we have the technology to do it. Why are we waiting? Let's get to it!

[P.C.]

"we architects"

Ha.

[usarender]

I am an architect - who are you to claim otherwise?

I posted those comments on urban development - who are you to claim otherwise?

I am a creative individual, an artist - who are you to claim otherwise?

I am an inventor - who are you to claim otherwise?

I have mechanical ability - who are you to claim otherwise?

I have built houses - who are you to claim otherwise?

I am a writer, a poet and have musical ability - who are you to prove otherwise?

I have demonstrated your 3dh system lacks structural integrity - what have you done to prove otherwise?

You are not an architect, yet you claim "down with architecture"

You are not a true engineer, or you would prove 3dh works, with calculations.

You claim to be an artist, but frankly, I can do better.

You claim your 3dh is the solution of the century. It is not.

You claim 3dh should replace all construction technology. A bunch of whoey....

You claim to be persecuted, to be suffering, to being stabbed in the back, to have been robbed.... whoey...

Stop ruining this discussion, making accusations against me.

Just prove 3dh works and only that will silence all skeptics.

Unless you can do this, you are asking for problems, and creating problems on these forums, by turning each subject into an opportunity for personal attack.

Do you want to ruin these forums do you?

[Richard Haut]

so do tell us about Annie Besant and her friends and how that relates to your anti-Darwin hysteria ?

[P.C.]

You are nothing bur a saur old man, jeloux about some clever guy who oposed you, show tallent.

Your "tallent" show clearly in the vain accusations and screwed obsession --- you has nothing but hate to share, you newer shared just one genuine thought, you know very little about architecture, and are obsessivly occupied trying to down some others work to promote what ??? Your own work ; but usarender you has nothing to share !!!

[usarender]

You are welcome to promote pro Darwin hysteria if you wish.

[Richard Haut]

you are not welcome to promote ideas that were so actively taken up by the Nazis.

the notions of Aryan "racial superiority" of Besant and those around her were directly taken on by the Nazis in their racial hatred and murder. You in favour of eugenics in architecture ? Some of your postings would indicate that that may be the case.

if you are an architect then - apart from your city-on-a-balloon - why so shy about giving examples ?

[usarender]

Ideas taken up by the Nazis? Not welcome? If I am not welcome, neither are you.

Who is claiming Aryan "racial superiority?" What, eugenics in architecture? You are now also trying to put words into my mouth Richard? Your attitude is most surprising. I thought you were one of the few on these forums to have any sense, good taste and moderation.

You have completely mis-understood my postings Richard. I am definitely not pro Hitler, pro Aryan race, pro Eugenics in architecture.... this is absurd for someone to make such a statement...
what lead you to believe such an absurd idea?

I need not prove anything to anyone, by the way..... I do not need to stoop down so low now that I have to prove myself to anyone..... why should I need to prove anything to anyone? I have no such obligation and will not be intimidated by false accusations.

[Richard Haut]

then I suggest that you do some research before stating your opinions. (Who is "welcome" here is for Kevin to decide - nobody else.)

after all, when you describe those who care for and professionally manage the environment as "terrorists", what is one supposed to think ?

the Aryan views of Besant and those like her, and their twisting of Darwin's views - and their direct relation to the Nazi theories - are a matter of record. They can no more be erased than the idea of promoting Hitler as a fine example of a vegetarian.

Charles Darwin was trained in Anglican Theology - he devised a theory to attempt to explain the great variety of species in the world. Nothing else. It is only a theory. I have only seen the wild opposition to that theory (and only from the USA) being propounded by those who favour, in one form or another, eugenics (still actively practised until the late 1970's in the US, by the way).

I repeat: if you are an architect, why so shy about showing what you have designed ?

if I have misinterpreted both your postings and your attitude, then I remain to be convinced.

[usarender]

Since when have I dubed those who professionary mange and care for the environment as terrorists? You are now the one spreading mis-information Richard. What is your agenda?

You are full of presumption, assumption, prejudice and pre based ideas Richard. You are trying to clump everyone into the same big pot. This is absurd. Not everyone fits into your world view or definitions. Now, just because there are those like BEsant and those who twist Darwins words, and they are the ones promoting Nazi theories, does not mean I am doing the same. This is prejudice, presumption, the most dreaded of diseases. You are trying to throw everyone into the same pot and then turn up the heat and boil me now.....

What is your agenda Richard? Are you to attempting to slander me now?

What is it with you guys? I had much respect for you and believed you were one of the few to have moderation, good sense, discretion and to be wise enough to not commit such a folly.

What has inspired you now to spread such mis-information?

You claim nobody else is opposed to Darwin... hysteria you are good at...there are many on both camps and both sides. Just because none has expressed themselves on these forums does not mean there are not millions you are opposed to the modern application of Darwin's ideas. You fail to see the point. Darwin himself proposed good things. It is that modern science has skewed all this and the majority now propose something far off in left field.

Again, I need not prove anything to anyone, much less to those who are attempting to slander me....

To the contrary, I refuse to show my work on a forum of people intended to only slander others and spread false information... it is counter productive,...and I will not be intimidated by such slander or intimidation...

Now, I need not to convice you that you are wrong, or to prove anything otherwise. You have fallen into a vary serious error of presumption and I am not here to save you of your error Richard. You need to realize it yourself, with time....

[Richard Haut]