A couple of designs for rotating skyscrapers in Dubai prove that engineering has reached unimaginable heights of expertise. The Squall Tower turns with the wind, and the Dynamic Tower is made of 80 floors that can rotate 360 degrees individually. The Squall Tower is a concept project, but the Dynamic Tower is set to begin construction someday soon.
The designers of the Squall Tower – Turkish architects Hayri Atak, Kaan Kılıçdağ, Büşra Köksal, and Kübra Türk – were inspired by vertical wind turbines. The skyscraper doesn’t resist the force of the wind; instead, it moves with it.
There are buildings whose top floor rotates, housing a restaurant and bar for breathtaking 360-degree wining and dining views. Squall Tower takes this to the next level. The entire building turns, so every floor gets the ocean and city view!
The rotating tower is split into three individual ribbon-shaped segments that helically twist around a central axis. Multiple branches connect them.
It will have a helipad, providing rooftop access to all three segments. On the ground level, each of the components will have its own entrance.
The form allows for minimal wind drag during rotation. The rotation happens slowly and at a fixed speed (with or without wind) – completing a full circle in 48 hours.
The building will also generate electrical energy from its rotation, which is predicted to generate enough renewable energy to power the building, plus another three buildings of a similar size.
For now, The Squall Tower is just a concept as there’s no precise date on when, or if, construction will begin.
On the other hand, the Dynamic Tower is also set to become a reality. Designed by David Fisher, founder of Dynamic Architecture Group, in 2006, the 420-meter skyscraper is now finally approved.
Each of its 80 floors rotates individually. They are held firmly to a concrete core and can turn 360 degrees in either direction. Again, the objective is to provide residents with a 360-panoramic view of Dubai.
What’s extraordinary about this project is that a resident owns the whole floor and can decide the rotation direction and speed, activating it by voice command. There will also be a car elevator allowing residents to lift their vehicles and park them next to their apartments.
The tower will generate its electricity with solar panels on terraces and wind turbines between every two floors.
Dynamic Architecture has set an opening date but hasn’t announced when construction will begin.
