It's a case of useful innovation getting lost in 21st Century over indulgence. An architect has designed a building that not only takes advantage of solar energy, but also the wind in an interesting way. Each of the 80 floors of the proposed high rise in Dubai, will be able to rotate around the central hub of the building using the force provided by the wind.
Designed with spaces between the floors where solar panels and wind turbine blades will be located, the building will possibly be able to produce its own power and maybe even supply energy to the surrounding neighbourhood. Not only will the building provide power for its residents but it will also give them a constantly changing view as each floor rotates 360 degrees. No longer will you have to covet the view of the tenant on the other side of the building. Just wait a few minutes and the view will be yours.
Now comes the indulgence part. The apartments will set you back anywhere from $3 to $30 million dollars! One can assume that the more pricey spaces will be near the top of the building. Now if you can afford this kind of home, you probably have a nice car as well, right? Where are you going to park that Bentley or Ferrari? Not only does the building come with a changing view but a drive-in elevator so that residents can park outside their apartment door!
Do we really need another building where the rich can sequester themselves away from the rest of humanity? Could we not find a better use for the millions of dollars the construction of this building will cost? What about the millions used to buy an apartment? Maybe a fund to help the homeless? How far would $3 million dollars go in a school breakfast program? What about healthcare? Apparently the 1100 people already on the waiting list for apartments don't care much or they would be spending their money on social programs and not overpriced digs for themselves. But let's be charitable. Maybe these 1100 people will give their new apartments to the homeless right? Right.
Not that long ago there was a popular song that said, "Give me a home where the buffalo roam…" You know the one. It speaks of simplicity and comfort and warmth and family. I guess someone changed the idea when we weren't looking. The designers of this building took a great idea for advancing the ideas of environmentally friendly construction and made a consumerist monster. Now it seems the song should go "Give me a home with central air conditioning, a rotating view, and an automobile elevator." Doesn't quite roll off the tongue, does it?
I don't know about you, but I think I prefer the classics.
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