Construction Magazine April 2015 | Page 17

THE SKYSCRAPER OF THE FUTURE
Shadows ? what shadows ?
lower the temperatures of buildings ( thus helpful in preventing urban heat islands forming ), but they can also provide effective acoustic insulation .
3 . Shadowless solutions And while the boom in skyscrapers is good for elevator manufacturers , it can be bad for residents who have to live in their shadow – quite literally . Using computer-aided design and some seriously big mirrors , an architect firm in London has come up with a plan to build a pair of skyscrapers with no shadow at all . This level of innovation means that skyscrapers can continue to emerge in urban environments with minimal adverse effects on the local community . Further , a lack of shadow means that greenery can continue to grow even in built up areas .
As research and innovation into sustainable building continues , the loss of green spaces for construction purposes could be reconciled with a greener future that sees wood , plants and biodiversity playing an important role in urban development .
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