The skyscrapers of the future aren't going to just be buildings, but will function as vertical cities. That's according to SURE Architecture, at least. Endless City is a fascinating proposal that transforms the skyscraper into an upright ecosystem. It's a mixed-use tower that is wrapped in huge ramps that are like streets and connect different areas. This project was designed for the SkyScrapers & SuperSkyscraper Competition where it took home the top prize.
Endless City is meant to exist in London, and it's made up of six steel tubes located at the top that support two ramps. The tubes enclose different elements that are influx within the building including energy, waste, and water. Its overall shape attempts to maximize passive energy and reduce artificial lighting, cooling, and heating needs. When these things are required, they are distributed vertically along the ramps and are linked with bridges. The “endless” ramps meander throughout the skyscraper starting from the ground up.
The structure's multiple floors are meant as flexible areas that are adaptable for many situations. They consist of plazas and communal spaces, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Dynamic areas where people can meet are offset by intimate, quieter spots, too. The design of the building takes urban life and builds it upwards rather than outwards; it's an intriguing solution for a new development in an already dense city.
