The "ARK" eco building

[joz]

(CNN) -- Could a floating dome that can house up to 10,000 people be a model for future living?
Russian architect Alexander Remizov thinks so -- and his prototype design, called "The Ark," bears more than a passing resemblance to the classic children's toy, the Slinky.
Remizov believes his Ark, designed to be constructed from timber, steel and high-strength ETFE plastic, could be adapted for all kinds of environments and put to a number of different uses, including emergency housing -- its prefabricated structure should allow it to be constructed quickly -- and hotels. He's even suggested a variation with a honeycomb-style hull that can float.



Green 'Ark' could house 10,000 -- and looks like a Slinky! - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/01/05/eco.ark.building/index.html)

[elrod21]

Interesting. If it floats on the sea what do you do when there is a storm and big waves?

[Tails]

So like the Space Colony Ark?

http://images.wikia.com/sonic/images/2/24/ARK.png

[joz]

Interesting. If it floats on the sea what do you do when there is a storm and big waves?

Well it's supposed to be designed to withstand BIBLICAL FLOODS, so I would imagine it can take it like a man.

Here's some more pics on this thing with details on how it would look like from the inside.

Alexander Remizov - Yahoo! News Photos (http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Ark-Eco-Building-Future/ss/events/sc/011011theark)

[Dudebro]

It's cool but like other people said(in the comments section) who wants to live in an enclosed structure with 10k other people?

[joz]

It's cool but like other people said(in the comments section) who wants to live in an enclosed structure with 10k other people?

Yeah I would agree with that...but if we ever do experience biblical floods. I sure as hell would love to be in that thing. Wouldn't you?

[Dudebro]

Even without the floods I'd be ok with it. I'm one of those people who is endlessly entertained by watching stupid people being themselves.

[StarfoxFan2009]

I wouldn't mind being in one of those

[RU Joe]

It certainly does look futuristic, and given its size and shape looks like it should be quite durable.
The real question would be whether it is strong enough to hold itself together if being hit with gale or hurricane force winds.

It seems like a potentially claustrophobic environment and I don't know how long I would be able to stay inside.
Unless there was an internet connection available, then it may be more tolerable.

[Dudebro]

The real question would be whether it is strong enough to hold itself together if being hit with gale or hurricane force winds.
From what I've read that seems to be the entire point of it, besides being somewhat self sustaining. We already build flat, square buildings that reach upwards right? Wouldn't this more sleek design make a lot more sense?

[RU Joe]

Agreed, our buildings are sturdy to a point but clearly don't stand up to winds very well.
Rounded edges are far more streamlined it's true, but sometimes to disadvantage.
A building in downtown Toronto is notorious for its shape generating dangerously powerful winds around its base, and I heard of it because it made the news when someone was knocked down by those winds and sued.

Toronto City Hall:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_C9zOzLEte2o/TCSqQzpexzI/AAAAAAAADbw/UxZVNYKVuIU/toronto-city-hall.jpg

I'm not an aerodynamics expert but even to my layman's eye it looks like a wind tunnel.

[Dudebro]

Maybe they thought that big slab part would block most of it. Also I'd hope they took the general wind patterns into account when they designed the building. If it hit the back of that curve it'd probably be ok but almost any other angle looks like it would only make the winds more focused and dangerous. Meh, probably a case of worrying about the cosmetic part of the building and dismissing any collateral damage as minimal.

[RU Joe]

True.
But about the subject, a massive structure like that would have to either have great rigidity or some flexibility to survive those winds = or perhaps waves if they decide to put it on the water.

Anyhow it looks cool and futuristic, but where's the McDonald's?

[Dudebro]

Quote from the article, in a picture caption-
Remizov believes that the building can be constructed in earthquake affected areas as the lower part of the structure is shell like without any angles or edges. The system of arches and steel ropes also allows for the stress from an earthquake to be distributed across the whole building.

Anyhow it looks cool and futuristic, but where's the McDonald's?If something like this became common you'd see them in there but the original idea for this is coping with a harsh or changing environment and protecting the environment from human impactI don't think McDonalds was planned for this ark. When the flood comes all the fast food chains will be drowned. Not the people who work there, just all the buildings and stuff.:\