Architects design Saturn-like ring to encircle Burj Khalifa

By Krishna Kosaraju, Science and Technology, The Pawprint

The Downtown Circle project is a remarkable futuristic idea envisioned by the architecture company ZNera. It is designed to be self-sufficient and sustainable. The most noticeable feature of the ring, however, is that it surrounds the world’s tallest free-standing structure, the Burj Khalifa, and will contain all of Downtown Dubai within a 1.9-mile radius. The majestic 1,804-foot-tall ring is described as a mixed-use complex with residential, public, and commercial units.

Concerns have been brought up about the sustainability aspect of this project, the firm released a statement saying “The downtown circle project establishes a sustainable and self-sufficient vertical urbanism. As a singular mega building complex, it aims to create a hyper-efficient urban center that gives back to the environment.”

To accommodate the multipurpose amenities, the projected 1,804-foot-tall megastructure would be divided into smaller pieces. Passengers would be able to travel from one node to another within the circle via a fleet of hanging peripheral pods.

Temperatures in Dubai sometimes approach 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The lead architect, Chowdy, explained that “The entire ceiling will be a length of solar panels, we also intend to incorporate solar hydrogen cells, which we have already utilized in a prior project.” This device converts water into hydrogen using solar energy, which may subsequently power the air conditioning and supply energy to the building. The future is here!