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Construction technologies are advancing extremely quickly. Couple that with
multi-billionnaires / deep-pocketed companies trying to outdo each other in the
quest for the next standout design and you have a near-future filled with
mile-high skyscrapers and buildings that no longer look like buildings.
Below are 9 strange and unique structures which have either been approved or are
in the final stages of approval. some have already been partially constructed.
Welcome to the future landscape.
1. aqua, usa (website)
From a distance this skyscraper, to be completed in 2009 in chicago, will seem
quite traditional. it’ll only be when you get close and look up that you can
appreciate the ripple/jelly effect created by variously sized balconies from top
to bottom.
2. residence antilia, india (architects’ website)
Construction has begun on residence antilia despite opposition from those who
see it as an ‘excessive’ design in a city where more than 65% of the population
live in slums. politics aside and after you recover from the initial shock of
seeing a skyscraper that resembles an ikea cd rack, the building actually looks
like it may succeed as a stunning, unique, green piece of architecture.
3. chicago spire, usa (website)
The phenomenal chicago spire, when completed in 2010, will be the world’s
tallest residential building and the tallest building of any kind in the western
world. seemingly modelled on the image of a giant drill poking through the
ground, the 609m structure will dominate the chicago skyline.
4. cctv headquarters, china (website)
At a modest 234m the cctv building isn’t going to stand out from a distance.
however the design and shape is a crowdstopper to say the least and will be
another incredible addition to beijing’s skyline in time for the 2008 olympics.
the shape, described as a ‘z criss-cross’ results in a very high, seemingly
unsupported corner at the front. let’s hope there’s a glass floor up there.
5. regatta hotel, jakarta (website)
Taking on a nautical theme, the developers say the 10 smaller towers represent
sailing boats whilst the larger building is ‘the lighthouse’. it’s the
lighthouse that steals the show for me, possibly the most incredible looking
structure i’ve seen for a long time. if it ends up looking anything close to
these pictures i’ll be impressed.
6. russia tower, russia (architects’ website)
Topped with an observation deck over the city of moscow, russia tower will
become the tallest building in europe when completed in 2012 and twice the
height of the eiffel tower. construction has already started on this angular
beast which was designed by foster & partners, also responsible for the gherkin
and spaceport america, currently in development.
7. penang global city centre, malaysia (website)
Following months of speculation and sturdy opposition, this humungous project is
in the final stages of approval and apparently construction will start very
soon. even so, due to the size of the plan it will take at least 15 years to
complete. resembling a sci-fi city, the area will be crowned by 2 x 200m towers
and completely transform the small island of penang.
8. gazprom headquarters, russia (architects’ website)
This gigantic, 300m tall glass flame of a building will house the gazprom
headquarters in st. petersburg, dwarfing all structures in its vicinity. it will
apparently change colour up to 10 times per day depending on the position of the
sun. the building has already been nicknamed ‘corn on the cob’ by unhappy
locals.
9. burj dubai, dubai (website)
This is the big one. when completed next year it will be the tallest man-made
structure in the world and the tallest building by a long shot with a predicted
height of 818m. note: currently the tallest building on earth, excluding an
antenna, is taipei 101 in taiwan which stands at 509m. the photo below is the
building’s current state: the skyscrapers below the burj dubai used to look
tall.
Users' Comments (2) 
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Architecture 
Wowww..unbelievable structure .