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Solar City Tower for Rio Olympics could create a sky waterfal
Post Date: 21 June 2010
If things go according to plan this amazing tower will dominate the skyline on the beach nearest to the city.
Looking from one side like a waterfall cascading from nowhere, the structure is covered in an array of photovoltaic cells that by day would power the Olympic village. Excess energy will pump seawater into a 105 metre tower. At night, the water can be released and dropped through turbines to generate electricity again.
Alternatively, on special occasions, this water can be cascaded down the tower's side to create an ‘urban waterfall’, in design company RAFAA’s own words.
This waterfall, Zurich-based RAFAA Architecture & Design says, will highlight the power of nature, but will also be a ‘...representation of a collective awareness of the city towards its great surrounding landscape.’
Information on the size of the solar and pumped water storage system is not available yet.
Visitors would enter the eco tower through an urban plaza and amphitheatre 60 meters above sea level, which could be used for social gatherings.
They could take an elevator up to the top floor where an observation deck offers 360 views of the ocean and city.
On the ocean side of the tower (behind the waterfall) is a cafeteria and shop.
And the really adventurous would be able to jump off the special bungee platform at level 90.5!
Gallery of images can be found here: http://inhabitat.com/2010/03/19/solar-city-tower-for-rio-olympics-giant-energy-generating-waterfall/solar-city-tower-by-rafaa-5
Solar City Tower Image kindly provided by and copyright of RAFAA Architecture and Design.
