
What if we told you a future NYC skyscraper could actually extend vertically from the clouds rather than the ground? That’s right, according to Clouds Architecture Office’s proposed Analemma Tower, the building would actually be erected from the clouds, as their name might suggest.
How is this possible? In order to achieve a suspended tower, Clouds AO would swap the orthodox diagram of an earth-based foundation for a space-based supporting foundation, better known as Universal Orbital Support System (UOSS). According to the system, if an asteroid is placed into orbit over Earth, the tower could be suspended over a city from it via a high strength cable.
Though the initial proposal outlines Dubai as the intended location (since it’s a fifth of the cost to construct there than in NYC), its air suspension would allow it to be constructed anywhere across the globe.
Residents of the building would experience a 24-hour orbital cycle, with differing views at certain heights in the building. The proposal suggests residential/sleeping quarters two thirds the way up the building with business ordeals on the lower sector and scattered devotional activities all around.
From a position in the sky, the tower would follow a figure-8 form between the northern and southern hemispheres in a daily loop. However, due to geosynchronous orbit, that would mirror earth’s sidereal rotation period of one day, Analemma Tower would appear to be stationary from the ground POV.
Now, you may think, how the hell do we orchestrate an asteroid above earth, isn’t that impossible? It’s actually not. The European Space Agency proved the possibility of landing on a comet with its Rosetta mission in 2015.
As for the functionality within Analemma Tower, space-based solar panels would be utilized as a power source. A semi-closed filtration and recycling loop system could provide water. Plus, captured condensate and rainwater from the clouds would replenish such a system. Additionally, cable-less electromagnetic elevators would make movement across various levels possible.
Of course atmospheric conditions would restrict certain heights to ensure tolerable living conditions for humans. Though an elevation of 32,000 meters might provide 45 additional minutes of daylight, the extremely cold temperature (-40C) and near vacuum would require humans to wear a protective suit outdoors.
Despite atmospheric challenges, if constructed, Analemma Tower would be the world’s tallest building. You can learn much more about this proposed tower in detail here.