# Orbiting Orb Freeways BIG's Energy Valley is an Interactive Highway By Michael Hines | Published 2011-03-25 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/energy-valley References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2011/03/22/stockholmsporten-master-plan-by-big/) & [big.dk](http://www.big.dk/) [Energy Valley](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/better-energy-charge) is perhaps the most outrageous design ever conceived by the Danish architectural firm BIG along with Grontmij and Spacescape. Energy Valley is the winning design of a Swedish competition, which called for "an inviting new entrance portal into Stockholm at the intersection of a newly planned super-junction." Energy Valley will feature an [artificial wilderness area](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cf-mller), complete with rolling hills, wetlands and parks. Energy Valley will be encircled by bike/foot paths and will also house stores for those looking to escape from nature. The main attraction of Energy Valley is its massive glass sphere. 30 percent of the sphere is covered in [photovoltaic panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/opera-and-ballet-theatre-of-kosovo), designed to capture the sun's rays and convert them into power. The project has no set start date but it is already being labeled as Sweden's biggest ever infrastructure project. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.4/10 - Popularity: 68% | Activity: 25% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Interactive Highways:** The concept of Energy Valley's interactive highways presents opportunities for new forms of engaging transportation and infrastructure. - **Artificial Wilderness:** The integration of artificial wilderness areas in urban environments provides opportunities for creating immersive and eco-friendly spaces. - **Photovoltaic Power:** The incorporation of photovoltaic panels into architectural designs offers potential for generating renewable energy sources and reducing carbon footprint. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Architecture:** Architects can explore innovative designs that integrate interactive highways and artificial wilderness to create unique and sustainable urban spaces. - **Urban Planning:** Urban planners can incorporate the concept of artificial wilderness areas and interactive highways into city development plans to promote eco-friendly and engaging transportation systems. - **Renewable Energy:** The photovoltaic power technology utilized in Energy Valley opens up opportunities for renewable energy companies to create similar projects and promote sustainable energy sources. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Reanimated Power Plant Parks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manresa-island.md) - [Rooftop Walkway-Topped Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shenzhen-energy-ring.md) - [Multifunctional Circular Housing Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eve-park.md) - [Energy-Generating Park Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/energy-park.md) - [Bridge-Defining Tranquil Cities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mindfulness-city.md) - [Swedish Electric Road Highways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trafikverket.md) - [Unwinding Multifunctional Charging Stations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/better-energy-charge.md) - [Glowing Sphere Art Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/netherlands-pavilion.md) - [Solar Energy Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/michael-jantzen-2.md)