Editors’ Choice
2023 Skyscraper Competition

Fan Yiming, Wang Yue, He Kai
China

The threat of desertification is a global problem, which is directly manifested by the loss of productive land, the movement of sand dunes and dust storms. According to the data of IPCC, desertification now covers 46.2% of the global geographical area. It can be seen from the geographical distribution map of dry land and the population diagram of dry areas that many regions and countries in the world are affected by drought. Desertification is no longer a simple ecological environment problem, but has evolved into an economic and social problem, which brings poverty and social instability to human beings.

The building is located on the Mesopotamian plain in present-day Iraq, an alluvial plain between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Western Asia. Thousands of years ago, the fertile soil created by the annual flooding of two rivers gave birth to one of humanity’s earliest civilizations, the Mesopotamian Civilization. However, with the historical changes, soil salinization and desertification, the once glorious Mesopotamian civilization was gradually buried by sand and dust. Over the past two decades, Iraq and many other regions in the Middle East have been threatened by desertification. According to the Iraq Desertification Commission, up to 90% of Iraq’s land area is threatened by desertification, and 45% of its agricultural land is at risk of drought and desertification. Loss of vegetation, overgrazing, wartime deforestation, improper irrigation practices and water scarcity are some of the main causes of desertification in Iraq. According to the above problems, we decided to construct a new skyscraper that can control desertification of the land, and solve the desertification problem more effectively by means of technology to make the sand soil. Read the rest of this entry »

Architects and designers love a great sketching pencil and a great fountain pen. These are the main tools used to quickly communicate and pin down ideas. Drawings remain the genesis of ideas, which are later developed with the use of computer software.

In the world of fountain pens, there are very few options for a retractable nib. A retractable nib is one that comes out of the pen without the need to remove a cap- like a push-button ballpoint pen. It is very convenient because you can have the writing experience of a fountain pen, with the readiness of a ballpoint pen. You can start writing and sketching immediately without the need to remove a cap. For many years, the only two options available were the Vanishing Point fountain pen designed by Pilot in the 1960’s and the Lamy Dialog designed in 2009.

In early 2024, ēnsso unveiled the BOLT a new retractable fountain pen alternative with an innovative silicone seal at the tip that keeps the nib chamber air-tight. The silicone seal has an ‘X’ cut that allows the nib to go through and naturally seals off when the nib is retracted. For quick, one-hand operation, this pen relies on a bolt-action mechanism in which a knock at the end of the pen is pushed forward to extend the nib. As soon as the knock is moved away from the lock position, the spring automatically retracts the nib. This simple solution is ideal and has minimal components.

The BOLT is entirely precision-machined from grade-5 titanium for durability and lightness. It also comes equipped with an ink converter for bottled ink. Its nib system is interchangeable and nibs in fine point and medium point are offered. The pen is currently available to preorder on Kickstarter for $84.

Editors’ Choice
2023 Skyscraper Competition

Bartosz Pszczółkowski
Poland

We live in a world of connections. A world of relational networks designed to ensure security and peace in a reality in which the decisions of individuals can determine the fate of millions of people. In the light of recent events in eastern Europe or prior ones in the Middle East, we can infer that maybe we should not rely as fully and as blindly as we have so far on interdependencies such as the international supply chain and mutual assured destruction. It seems increasingly important to strike the right balance between reliance and autonomy, especially in a world where so many voices count for so little.

The project is an attempt to write the first chapter of a new, better future for Iraq, a country facing a rapidly deepening water crisis—yet another hurdle after a history of severe injustice, military conflicts, religious and political extremism, and international social and economic alienation.

The main idea is to create an oasis, an almost completely independent system capable of meeting all of the basic needs of the Iraqis. Its focal point would be a kilometer-tall, non-habitable tower, pumping and purifying water from the underground. It would be used for the production of food and electricity, which would then be distributed to the surrounding settlements, and all people in need.

The system is intended to use underground waters, in particular those that are currently unfit for human consumption, primarily in areas where drilling, due to the depth of water-bearing layers, is especially difficult and generates exponentially high costs It is estimated that by 2030, Iraq’s water demand will reach nearly 70 cubic kilometers, with agriculture accounting for up to 60 percent of the total demand. The project is based around the use of modern vertical farms for more efficient food production. A solution that allows for the saving of up to 95% of the water used for irrigation.

The aim is to raise the standard of living of the Iraqi general public to at least an acceptable minimum and enable them to embark on a new path of development for their country after years of dependence on their neighbors, distant foreign powers, and the natural conditions of the region. It has been known for a long time that the basis for a healthy and prosperous country is the comfort and freedom enjoyed by its citizens in their everyday lives. The Sovereignty is to be a foundation for building a better future for Iraq. Read the rest of this entry »

Editors’ Choice
2023 Skyscraper Competition

Kai Tang, Qingxiang Li, Songjiang Han, Yonglei Li, Xinyi Li
China

In the context of global warming and the increasing variability and diversity of skyscrapers, we ask two questions: Can people’s sustainable vision of the natural environment be achieved simply by using traditional models to regulate climate change? Is the variability of skyscrapers limited to external conditions and exhibit non-sustainability? With that skepticism in mind, we put forward our ideas.

The topic of global warming has been described and recorded in historian’s documents since the ancient Greece. And gradually came into view at the end of the last century. The known solutions to global warming and sea-level rise are limited to two: direct changes to the way the climate works and island-building. Our perspective is completely out of the ordinary interface. We propose a “Radical solution to greenhouse gas emissions, a complete alternative to conventional energy — the Change-Tracking Energy Skyscraper Vision”.

First, from the perspective of energy extraction, we are looking for the most sustainable and abundant energy type in the world, namely ocean tidal energy. In general, the extraction method of Marine tidal energy is fixed and rigid, which is subject to the external weather and the periodicity of sea water. However, we propose the way of chasing the tide, using the skyscraper as a mobile energy park to chase the surge of the tide in the sea and continuously draw energy from the nature.

Based on the acquisition method and the uncertainty of the building, we proposed the basic building mode of the combination of mother and child method and the closed connection of the inbound station, and the open floating of the outbound station. Specific base stations have been installed at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, which is suffering from rising sea levels and energy crisis due to climate change. In combination with the traditional Asian culture, this paper proposes the image of the opening and closing of the buildings of ‘Kunpeng’. Based on the traditional experiment of Japanese residential settlements, this paper proposes the thinking of the variable residential buildings under the variable skyscraper. Finally, all kinds of models are simplified and integrated to form this conceptual scheme. Read the rest of this entry »

Editors’ Choice
2023 Skyscraper Competition

CannonDesign
Chris Soria, Sharon Mathew, Steffany Brady, Stefania Ingaramo, Aimee Platt, Chun-Tien Kuo, Brandon Geiger
United States

A Brave New World
The year 4023 presents a new reality for our planet and our human race. The irreversible effects of a warming planet have taken its toll on our ecosystem. Land has given way to water, which now accounts for more than 90 percent of the Earth’s total surface area. The remaining land is no longer capable of sustaining a global population. Humans adapted by reinventing today’s cityscapes in the form of floating micro communities. The physical transformation of our world also led to new societal realizations. Through this evolution, we learned that our wellbeing is inextricably connected to the actions of our global neighbors.  And while each micro community is successful in meeting the basic needs of its residents, we understood that healthcare could not live within individual communities and equitably meet the needs of a connected, global community. Further, the social role and responsibility of healthcare in 4023 is asked to stretch well beyond what we know it as today. Read the rest of this entry »

Editors’ Choice
2023 Skyscraper Competition

Kael Samake, Saijeeni Elangko, Faye Bonifacio
Canada

The Sahel is a geographic region that runs across the African continent. It is the border between the Sahara Desert to the north and the tropics to the south.
The indigenous baobab tree is the heart of African tradition and folklore. Referred to as the Teydouma in a local dialect for its femininity, the tree provides protection and education to the local communities and has become a symbol of life for the people who live among it.
The Teydouma tower draws inspiration from the baobab and intends to provide food and water, shelter, a place for the community to gather, and educational opportunities for the Sahelian communities. Read the rest of this entry »

Editors’ Choice
2023 Skyscraper Competition

Ho Sze Yin
Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a densely populated city. As of 2023, the population density of Hong Kong has amounted to 110.98 times more than that of the world’s average. Moreover, its total population is forecasted to increase by 7% to 8.1 million by the year of 2030. However, most of the developable lands are already urbanized. Therefore, land supply shortage for new development has become a major problem.

In response, the HKSAR government has put-forth the proposal of a Northern Metropolis Development Strategies (NMDS) as part of the 2030+ Development Plan. It explores the possibility in acquiring additional land for housing in the Northern New Territories, where these lands mainly consisted of natural reserves, fish ponds, farmlands and small indigenous villages. It is important that while developing these rural villages, the natural and environmental conservations, and the preservation/ integration of the qualities of village life could be thoroughly addressed.

The new tower development in these rural villages faces two main challenges:

1. The negotiation between high-density housing and the conservation of natural ecology;
2. The integration of “village qualities” with communal and environmental responsiveness within the tower.

As a result, Tower Village is proposed for redeveloping rural villages in response to the 2030+ Development Plan. Read the rest of this entry »

A good pen is one of the most important tools that an architect or a designer need. There is one particular pen made by Pilot Pen Company in Japan that has a cult following around the world. We are talking about the legendary Hi-Tec-C gel ink pen, which is admired for its smooth writing experience, exceptional ink flow, and consistent line thickness. Back in 2015, California-based pen company ēnsso, designed a delightfully minimal pen for the Coleto refills, which are the smaller version of the Hi-Tec-C.

The new UNO XL pen is made in the USA from 100% stainless steel. It is designed for the large Hi-Tec-C refill and it features an innovative retractable twisting cap that doubles as holding section with a knurled diamond-pattern finish for added grip. The UNO XL is a paragon in minimalism with excellent proportions and weight. It measures 135 millimeters and weighs 37 grams. ēnsso is the recipient of the Red Dot Award, the Good Design Award, and the ICFF Award. Their designs are included in the permanent collection of the Chicago Museum of Architecture and Design and the San Francisco Museum of Craft and Design.

-> Buy from ēnsso

2022 Skyscraper Competition
Editors’ Choice

Yue Sun, Jie Zhou, Jingjing Fang, Xin Song
China

Aging society refers to the population structure model in which the elderly population reaches or exceeds a certain proportion in the total population. According to the standard of the United Nations, if the population of a country or region over 60 years old accounts for 10% or more of the total population of the country or region, or the population of a country or region over 65 years old accounts for 7% or more of the total population of the country or region, the country or region has entered the aging society.

Aging may become the fuse of the global economic crisis, which will bring a series of social problems. In addition, global population aging is irreversible. Although countries around the world have taken a series of measures to encourage fertility, it can only slow down the rate of population aging. With the progress of science and technology, especially modern medicine and life science are expected to make new breakthroughs, population aging will become a global new normal. Read the rest of this entry »

2022 Skyscraper Competition
Editors’ Choice

Zainah M. Bagaber
Saudi Arabia

The ‘reversed future’ proposal is designed in response to the global issue of destruction natural landscapes in cities due to the rapid growth in populations, leading to high demands for residential lands. This issue causes multiple problems, including climate change, increased pollutions and desertification.
The city of Abha is one the cities that is facing this issue as it is characterised by mountainous areas representing nearly 50% of the entire city. The enormous mountains are a distinctive feature of the city, making it a major touristic destination. Because of the rapid increase in population and the demand on residential and accommodation facilities, the riveting mountains of Abha are destroyed in order to expand the city.

The proposal of the project aims to reverse the spiteful approach of housing and city expansion by allowing architecture to be integrated with nature rather than considering nature as a trivial aspect in urban design. The objective is achieved through the design of a flexible and light architectural prototype, which could be reflected in various cities to occupy high-density spaces and reintegrate the users with their natural landscapes. The skyscraper includes a main core for its central vertical circulation system where all the horizontal structural elements are expanded from. To satisfy the concept of flexibility, units are plugged into the structure and could be detached based on the occupants’ needs, allowing them to manipulate their spaces as desired. Read the rest of this entry »