Pradipta Seth - galapos

[pradipta]

This is my introductory post for the 'Architectural Wonder' theme. I am a bit late for the initial and mandatory post.

What I am making is a huge structure that will caters to a host people from all aspect. Almost pf offces of an extire city can be shifted to a place like this. Yet, this structure can be made wit todays technology and the building materials used now a days.

The reasons why i choose this design:

First of all, this structure will be built keeping ever increasing population in the mind. Increaing population is global problem and some of its affects are deforestation. People need more space, they are expanding the city cutting invaluable rain forest and destroyng other natural resources. This type of building will solve the space problem to some extent. Couple of these types of building can provide space to millions of people, since, they are expanded vertically and not horizontally. So, the above reasons are the main behind the design.

Secondly, making this buidling will need enormouse amount of technological advancement and new methods of construction has to be developed. So, it sould truly be a Architectural Wonder if accomplished.

Thrid, and most important is, the current building material could be used for construction. To make the structure more safe and balanced steel has to be replaced with more strong and light alloy material. Otherwise the top portion will be too heavy for the bottom base to hold.


Now coming to the concept design part. Below is a general outlines of the structure. I will provide a concept sketch later.

Explanation of the structure:

The different level of the structure is made with different shapes following he 'step' type architecture. This design will give the structure maximum stability and will protect from any sorts of unexpected natural diaster.

The structure is built on a huge square base measuring 250 m per side. this base is strong enough to support the vertical expansio that goes more than 1 km. the base is made square because this is suppose to be the safest and will safeguard against earth quake and other natural catastrophies. the base itself is 50 m high and will host enormous number of people. There will be a car parking area till the 7th floor starting with 4 floor at basement.

on top of this square base is octagon shaped elevation that reaches 375 m from ground level. according to islamic architecture this provides the greatest stability for a structure. actually this octagon starts from the base ment and the square base surrounds it. most of the major islamic monuments are based on octagon base including the famosu Taj Mahal.

in this area, the first 100 m - from 50 m to 150 m - there will be a semi-circular tower connecting to the main structure at the lower peaks of the octagon shape. I will provide a dummy model to show how that is made. this part is built to optimize the use of space. there will be 8 such towers of 100 m beside the octagon. however, the height is kept at 100 m since increasing it will put more vertical weight on the base structure.

On top of this octagon shape sturcture is a helipad at 375 , height. again space is used very logically and the helipad is actually hanging on huge steel beam projecting from the main structure.

on top of this octagon starts the square structure. To out less pressure on the base and octagon, the square expands till the lower peaks of the octagon sides. the corner of this portion is chopped off glass pane is placed in am angle to better guide air. because at this height it is very important to divert air from the main structure. this area goes as high as 775 m. this entire part uses light weight alloys and alluminium and glass to reduce the weight. on top of this part is another helipad at 775 m high.

after this part stands elliptical structure. As seen in the sketch the base is connected in a organic looking shape and disjointed at upper portion. this portion will slide air from side to another. A high speed wind or storm can prove fatal for the building. so, 'hole' is made inside the structure to pass wind. But what happens if high speed winds approoaches from the width side? well, there will be huge hydrolic suspenders at the base of this part which can actually rotate the entire top part to align with the wind direction. this part is made off flexible graphite material which is light and sways according to wind speed. this provides flexibility to the top part.
again the step style of design will provide the required support from the base. this part is 150 m tall, starts at 775 m and reaches till 925 m.

On top of this portion standa a 95 m antenna, that connects to geostationary satellite. the base of the antenna is a traingular shaped area that reaches till 975 m and after that next 45 m the antenna is not supported by any other structure.

Plans are made to built 4-5 such structures and connect them with bridges at different altitudes.

The name of the projects is kept 'galapos' that signifies the giantism of the structure and if made will truly be a wonder in architecture.

[pradipta]

i made some basic structure to convey my design of the galapos

[pradipta]

another view of the structure at right proportion.

[TheAllusionist]

pradipta,
Welcome to the competition, boy that narrative shows that you have given this some thought. I look forward to seeing the forms and concept evolve as you pursue your design. Good luck

P.S. Glad to see you have had a chance to start modeling the basics, it will be interesting to see if the historical detailing you are so good at shows up in your design or if you go a different approach.

[pradipta]

thanks.

Yea. I will try to give it a lot more detail. Although the architecture is entirely based on the modern and expressionist type of architecture. Let see how far I can achieve what I am looking for. It's a long way to go.

thanks for your commeting

[pradipta]

i am looking for some more comments.

thanks in advance

[TheAllusionist]

When I get home tonight I will give you some more comments in response to your e-mail, I just don't have time until later. I am sure others will comment as your work progresses.

[pradipta]

hi,

thanks. i'd look forward for your reviews.

[TheAllusionist]

pradipta,
At this point you have basic building blocks creating a rudimentary form, it is a little hard to comment at this stage, so take these comments based on what I think you will do next and hopefully positive comments.

I usually see you do great historic modeling and what I think of as modern may not be what you think of as modern, so bare with me since I am familiar only with your historic work.

Excluding your base you kind of have a tertirary concept going, bottom, middle and top, I think you want these to flow and transition in an elegant fashion, maybe making it even more slender.
I think if the star shaped geometry tapered into the middle section graciously and the cylinders at the base, had a larger circumfrence, had an angled top melding into the tapered star shaped section discussed previously, the structure would appear more elegant and emphasis the fact that it is a tower reaching upwards.