The idea for a sustainable rotating tower in Dubai was first proposed in 2006 by architect David Fisher. However, it was just an idea; there were many hindrances that prevented it from becoming reality. It seems, though, that the dream is finally coming true, with the announcement of an opening date for the project in 2020. The 80-story, 1,273-foot tower proposal features independent floors that can rotate 360 degrees in both directions, in order to provide more comprehensive views.
After thousands of years in which buildings were static, David Fisher’s Dynamic Skyscraper is an important step ahead towards Future Architecture. The Rotating Tower brings three main futuristic aspects, three revolutions:
Courtesy of Dynamic Architecture Group
The first revolutionary aspect is related to the shape of the building, which changes continuously. It is “Architecture as Part of the Environment”, adjusting to the sun and the wind, to the view and to our momentary requirements.
“I noticed that from a certain spot you could see the East River and the Hudson River, both sides of Manhattan. That is when I thought to myself: ‘Why don’t we rotate the entire floor? That way, everybody can see both the East River and the Hudson River, as well as Saint Patrick’s Cathedral!’”
Courtesy of Dynamic Architecture Group
Each floor, in fact, can rotate separately, changing every second the shape of the building. You can therefore wake up with the sun rising into your bedroom and enjoy the sunset over the ocean at dinner time. The Rotating Skyscraper takes on shapes imposed by time and life, never appearing the same in any two given moments. It is the first building to have four dimensions: Designed by TIME, shaped by LIFE.
Courtesy of Dynamic Architecture Group
The second revolution that the Dynamic Skyscraper brings is the method of construction. To this futuristic design solution, David Fisher has added another unique innovation: Prefabrication. It is in fact the first building produced in a factory, giving construction a new industrial approach. The entire building, aside from the concrete core, is made of prefabricated units which arrive to the construction site completely finished, including flooring, water piping, air conditioning and all finishes.
These units, made of steel, aluminium, carbon fibre and other high quality modern materials, are installed “mechanically” on site, offering luxury finishing, very fast construction time, usage of a limited number of workers, thus reducing site risks and enabling cost savings. The building, made of single separate floors, is structurally sound and flexible at the same time, being of very high seismic resistance.
The third revolution is born from combining technology and luxury with environment. The skyscraper’s wind turbines, positioned horizontally between each floor, and solar ink on its many roofs will produce energy making the tower the first self-powered building. Thus the Rotating Tower, a unique architectural solution, becomes also a “power station” producing green energy for the city.
The residents of this extraordinary tower will enjoy a set of high-tech features, which will include rotation by voice command at the desired speed and direction as well as a special elevator allowing residents to lift their cars and park them next to their apartments. However, these advantages will come at a very high cost which can, possibly, amount to $40 million. Although the tower’s opening date has been announced, Dynamic Architecture has not given a date for the beginning of construction yet. The project, once completed will be the third tallest building in Dubai, after the Burj Khalifa (828m) and Marina 101 (432m).
From Vision to Reality
About David Fisher
Dr. Fisher graduated with Honours from the School of Architecture in Florence. In the mid-eighties he became involved in different construction methods in New York, setting up and managing large industrial facilities, as well as in the building and development activity of hotel projects.
He cannot be considered an architect in the traditional sense. Dr. Fisher has a 360-degree experience in the building world – from project development to construction management, from teaching to designing. He has been redefining the technological extremes of buildings in several cities for over three decades.
Dr. Fisher’s professional activity has always been focused on two concepts: an industrial approach involving the use of prefabricated units, and Dynamic Architecture, where the traditional three-dimensional design meets a fourth dimension: Time. With his invention of the Dynamic Tower, he is transforming Time to herald a New Era of Architecture.
Article via Dynamic Architecture