It's Alive: A Vision for Tall Buildings in 2050
Introduction
- Purpose: "It's Alive" is a conceptual vision for a 'living' socio-technological tall building in 2050, aiming to address the changing needs of society and the planet. It is designed to spark dialogue on possible, plausible, and preferable visions for tall buildings.
- Context: Rapid urbanization and limited land space will increase the demand for taller buildings, while the climate crisis, urbanization, automation, and an aging population redefine how we live, design, build, and deconstruct.
Key Features
- Human-Centred: The building adapts to the changing needs of its users and the environment, fostering a more inclusive, resilient, and adaptable urban environment.
- Circular Economy: Integrated circular economy principles and reusable materials enhance the building's sustainability.
- Technological Integration: Emerging technologies enable digitally-enabled infrastructure and improve user experiences.
- Analog Solutions: Balances digital solutions with intuitive, resilient, and analogue design solutions.
- Modular Design: Customizable modular housing, flexible spaces, and adaptable designs ensure the building remains relevant and responsive to changing needs.
Examples of Features
- Modular Housing: Customizable and flexible living spaces.
- Community Centre: Inclusive community hub.
- Food Greenhouses: Urban agriculture and food production areas.
- Recycling Facilities: Underground recycling centers.
- Sports Facilities: Running tracks, climbing walls, and other recreational amenities.
- Healthcare Facilities: On-site nurseries, healthcare clinics, and wellness centers.
- Energy Efficiency: Wind power integration, transparent solar panels, and bio-reactive algae facades.
- Transportation: Shared autonomous vehicles, virtual public exhibitions, pop-up market stalls, and night-time theatres.
- Maintenance: On-site robotic construction and maintenance.
Health and Well-being
- Promoting Health: Corridors and bridges as shared public spaces, running tracks, playgrounds, and community gardens.
- Supporting Families: Onsite childcare and healthcare facilities.
- Cultural Engagement: Co-living schemes fostering cultural exchange and community pride.
Circular Economy
- Deconstruction: By 2050, all buildings will be designed for deconstruction, with efficient and legal material reuse and recycling.
- Prefabrication: Digitally fabricated structural elements and pre-assembled building services.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
- Crowd-Sourced Accessibility: AccessNow app providing crowd-sourced accessibility information.
- Child-Friendly Cities: Programs in India promoting safer and more accessible environments for children and women.
Conclusion
- The future of tall buildings in 2050 is human-centered, circular, inclusive, integrated, adaptive, intelligent, regenerative, robotic, innovative, resilient, and alive, offering a sustainable and resilient urban environment.
