In a city full of steel and glass, a green tower like the 54-story skyscraper proposed by architect Daniel Libeskind — who won a bid to be the overseeing architect for the World Trade Center reconstruction — would certainly shake things up. His proposed condominium, standing over 900 feet tall, would make use of sky gardens on many of the floors, and a glass-tube-enclosed vertical garden running up the center of the skyscraper. Cutaways built into the building's exterior would mean that both residents and onlookers could enjoy the greenery.
More than just looking good, including sky gardens in a structure helps improve conditions inside and encourage more natural lighting. Libeskind's building hasn't been approved yet — and could very well change given construction limitations if it is — but, as a New Yorker, I can definitely say I'd love to look out at the night skyline and see such a unique skyscraper. Check out the images below for more of Daniel Libeskind's sky-garden-studded condos.
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New York Magazine, via Designboom
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By Traveler at 12:43 PM ON 12/04/08
There are actually people who would pay (probably lots) extra to be in a building full of waste space???
By an Architect at 3:53 PM ON 12/04/08
As a current Architect, its a beautiful design, but would only give it a 5/10 because it isn't practical, the amount of engineering and deconstruction of the existing building would prove to be too much. If it were a standalone building, then I'd say go for it. 8.5/10
By AN ENGINEER at 10:21 AM ON 12/05/08
What kind of plants would be used? It gets too cold in NY for this. It's a great idea, but green buildings need to be taylored to the city. I just don't think this would be a smart move.
By Thinker at 10:31 AM ON 12/05/08
Well what if they enclosed the green spaces and made those floors into green house type rooms? Would solve the temperature problem.