Urban Lab Global Cities (ULGC): Yoann Mescam, Paul-Eric Schirr-Bonnans and Xavier Schirr-Bonnans finishing second place for the 2011 Skyscraper Competition

3/08/2011

Yoann Mescam, Paul-Eric Schirr-Bonnans and Xavier Schirr-Bonnans finishing second place for the 2011 Skyscraper Competition

Evolo Magazine just announced the winners 2011 Skyscraper Competition. I have a strong interest in some projects. I will start today with that of French Yoann Mescam, Paul-Eric Schirr-Bonnans and Xavier Schirr-Bonnans which received the second prize. Their skyscraper responds to a high density city. The architects present their project as follows:

The construction of skyscrapers has been an architectural solution for high-density urban areas for almost a century for its ability to combine height with a small footprint. Today there is a constant race between large metropolises and nations to build the tallest structure, but it has been proven that this typology is sometimes not desirable for medium-size cities where skyscrapers destroy the skyline and disrupt the infrastructure of the specific location.
The Flat Tower is a new high-density typology that deviates from the traditional skyscraper. It is based on a medium-height dome structure that covers a large area while preserving its beauty and previous function. The dome is perforate with cell-like skylights that provide direct sunlight to the agricultural fields and to the interior spaces. The dome's large surface area is perfect to harvest solar energy and rainwater collection.
Community recreational facilities are located at ground level while the residential and office units are in the upper cells. An automated transportation system connects all the units, which are different shapes according to their program. It is also possible to combine clusters of cells to create larger areas for different activities.
Although this proposal could be adapted to any medium-size city around the world, it has been designed for the city of Rennes, France, in an old industrial area.