ICM - Leeds Design Agency

One of my first blogs was about the Burj Dubai skyscraper, which will be the worlds tallest building. Now, nearly finished it looks like something out of a sci fi film. check out this video to get a sense of scale.

Having found that intresting I thought id keep a eye on other new buildings in Dubai.

One of the most interesting and unusual proposals is The Cloud, this is a speculative design for a resort city elevated 300 metres in the air above Dubai and supported on slanting legs resembling rain.

Designed by Nadim Karam of Lebanese architects Atelier Hapsitus the concept was presented at the International Design Forum in Dubai last month.

The Cloud of Dubai is one of a series of Gulf region projects created by Nadim Karam and Atelier Hapsitus. It is inspired by the Nomads, whose lives were defined by the rigours of their relation to the sun, water and sand, and their travels followed the border less movement of clouds. In a skyline that is going to be full of sky scrapers it seems like a playful solution that opens up all sorts of possibilities.

How is it possible though?

Access to the Cloud is gained through a few non-inclined tubular shafts, which double as structural support. In collaboration with ARUP AGU (Advanced Geometry Unit), significantly creative technological solutions are being developed for its realization. An essentially sustainable project standing at a height of approximately 300 metres, the Cloud is a 20000m2 landscape-in-the-sky comprising a lake, gardens, rotating bridges, spiraling walkways and terraces, an auditorium and sky-high sports platform. The Cloud is approached on ground level from an esplanade with a pool reflecting a forest of inclined columns reaching up to the huge, translucent floating island.

So it’s a few years off yet, but if it is ever completed maybe it will have a silver lining.