# Sand Dollar Superstructures Flat Tower Complements the Urban Landscape by Covering it By Amelia Roblin | Published 2011-03-22 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flat-tower1 References: [alternative-energy-news.info](http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/flat-tower-innovative-architectural-solution/) & [evolo.us](http://www.evolo.us/competition/flat-tower/) With such a rapidly rising global population, many architectural solutions have sought space building up towards the sky, but the Flat Tower offers a much more appealing alternative to man and nature alike. Holding second place in the 2011 Skyscraper Competition, this unique Flat Tower project is essentially a giant perforated dome. The inhabitable interior space is all within the shell that covers parks and agricultural land, having the two realms coexist in a way that most cities can't accommodate. The innovative design is the work of Paul-Eric Schirr-Bonnans, Xavier Schirr-Bonnans and Yoann Mescam, planned for Rennes, France to incorporate residences as well as offices within a layered network of occupiable organic cells. The Flat Tower megastructure can be built to a variety of scales, hosting domestic and commercial activities within a skin that pulls sunlight throughout and maintains an efficient form for rainwater collection and solar harvesting. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 69% | Activity: 47% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Vertical Urbanism:** The Flat Tower offers a unique solution to urban population growth by integrating residences and offices within a perforated dome structure. - **Coexistence of Nature and Urbanism:** The Flat Tower creates a harmonious balance between parks, agricultural land, and inhabitable spaces. - **Sustainable Building Design:** The Flat Tower's innovative design promotes efficient rainwater collection and solar harvesting. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Architecture:** The architectural industry can explore new opportunities in vertical urbanism and sustainable building design through projects like the Flat Tower. - **Real Estate:** Real estate professionals can consider the potential of incorporating dome-like structures, such as the Flat Tower, to meet the demand for urban living without sacrificing green spaces. - **Renewable Energy:** The renewable energy industry can leverage the Flat Tower's solar harvesting features as a disruptive innovation opportunity for sustainable power generation in urban environments. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Organic Striking Tower Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-leaves.md) - [Greenery-Filled Skyscraper Terrarium](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/terrarium-cheongdam.md) - [Stacked Pebble-Inspired Towers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calais-port-tower.md) - [Distinctive Airlifted Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/karka-tower.md) - [Rain-Collecting Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bpas-architects.md) - [Metal Tower Residential Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-tower-one-expansion.md) - [Vaulted Pink Complexes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/babel-housing-mexico.md) - [Eco-Conscious Slim Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/muraba-veil.md) - [Low-Carbon Biomimetic Towers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tonkin-liu.md)