2024 Skyscraper Competition
Honorable Mention

Shen Chengzhi, Chen Jiahao, Xu Yi
China

Once there were trees full of birds, Meadowlands vibrant with flowers;
Carefree the songs our children once sang, Gilding our minutes and hours.
Clouds came and covered the sun, The breath of the baleful unease,
Turning to ashes flowers in their fields, Silenced the birds in their trees.

In nations facing upheaval, a deluge of refugees emerges, each representing a family’s tragedy. While we cannot halt these tragedies at their source, our aim is to construct a sanctuary resilient against disasters. We aspire to commemorate the former glory of cities and civilizations, igniting the refugees’ drive for progress.

The tower stands as a beacon of hope, vertically divided into two zones. The lower section, serving as the city’s public administrative hub in peacetime, houses schools, hospitals, residences, and government offices. Connected by an internal subway network, this zone becomes a bastion of resilience in times of conflict, shielded by robust rotating defenses. Above, the residential zone encircles a central courtyard, providing shelter for the entire city during emergencies. All structures are modular, capable of expansion or dismantling as needed, ensuring adaptability in the face of adversity.

Yet, challenges persist. The tower’s vast interior depth poses a unique challenge for daylighting. Through innovative approaches like Genetic Algorithms and sunlight introduction systems, we strive to maximize natural light, catering to both agricultural and residential needs.

Moreover, we celebrate our heritage within the tower’s protective walls. Digital archives preserve the memories of cities past, offering solace and inspiration to those seeking refuge. Laser mapping models, harnessed for both holographic projection and future city reconstruction, symbolize resilience and renewal.

In this microcosm of hope and resilience, transportation is streamlined through light rail networks, facilitating movement within the tower’s confines. With agricultural platforms nestled along central loops, crops are transported efficiently, sustaining life within these protective walls.

As the tower stands tall, it symbolizes not just a physical refuge, but a beacon of hope and resilience in the face of adversity, promising a brighter future for all who seek shelter within its embrace.