Skyscrapers are tall building of many stories usually designed for office or commercial use. There is no official classification as to how tall a building needs to be to fall under the skyscraper category. However, there is one common thing and that is all these buildings are made with solid steel framework structure. The walls of these buildings are suspended from this steel framework unlike the other building where load bearing walls are found. Earlier Dubai was famous for its skyscrapers. However, now architects from all over the world have come forward with mega engineering plans that are as good as those skyscrapers in Dubai. Following are five eco friendly skyscrapers you won’t find in Dubai.
1. The Bow
This skyscraper is located in S.E.Calgary AB Canada. It is still under construction. Its construction began in 2007 and is expected to be complete in 2012. The architects are Foster & Partners, Zeidler Partnership Architects. Once the construction of this skyscraper is completed, it will be the tallest skyscraper in Canada. The building has got its name from the river that runs down the Calgary Downtown. The floor area of this building is 157,935 m². It consists of 58 floors with basement consisting of 6 floors. The materials used in the construction are glass, steel and concrete. The architectural style is modern and has structural expressionism. The building can be used for commercial purposes.
2. Beekman Tower
Designed by Frank Gehry, this skyscraper is located in New York. It is 876 feet tall and consists of 76 floors. This skyscraper envelops an area of 1.1 million square feet. The construction of this skyscraper was started in 2006 and is estimated to open early next year. This structural ‘t’ shaped tower is completely reinforced using concrete. The building is clad with stainless steel panels, although the original idea was titanium. The building will consist of an Elementary school in the base and New York Downtown Hospital’s ambulatory care center. At the street level, this skyscraper will have retail paces and public plazas.
3. Tower Verre (53 W. 53rd)
This skyscraper is located in New York. It is designed by Jean Nouvel. It is 1155 feet tall building, consisting of 75 floors. It is estimated to be completed in the year 2012. It is also known as the MoMA Expansion Tower and 53 West 53rd Street. This building consists of a 5 star hotel and 8 star residential apartments. This skyscraper is eco friendly as it uses wind power and rain water for everyday uses.
4. Sinosteel International Plaza
This skyscraper is located in Tianjing, China. This 1174 feet tall building is expected to be ready to occupy in 2012. It is designed by MAD. The windows are in the hexagonal shape in this skyscraper and the 288 foot hotel next to it looks like the interior of a beehive. Five different size windows of this skyscraper are placed in such a way that they take the most advantage of the wind and sun. This helps in the minimal energy use from the conventional energy sources. This wonderful construction once again proves the scope green architecture across the globe.
5. Al Hamra Tower
This skyscraper is located in Kuwait City, Kuwait. It is designed by the designers Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. It is 1352 feet tall and consists of 77 (and 3 floors underground) floors. The building may be used for office, restaurant and parking garage. Its construction began in 2005 and was completed in 2009. Its structural type is high rise.
These eco friendly skyscrapers prove that Dubai is no more the sand box for the skyscraper architects. There are many famous built and still under construction skyscrapers all over the world.
