Korea will construct the world’s first “invisible” skyscraper after it received permission to build the 1,467-feet ‘Tower Infinity.’ Designed by architectural firm GDS Architects, the glass-encased tower, which looks like a large pointy shard of glass, will be equipped with an “LED facade system with optical cameras.”
Cameras placed at three different height intervals and on six different sides will capture real-time images of its surrounding, while three other levels, equipped with 500 LED screens, will project those images. In effect, the ‘Infinity Tower’ will capture the images behind the building, enabling it to blend in with the skyline.
Expected to be completed in 2014, the tower, which will be located near Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, will host a movie theater, a theme park that includes a roller coaster and a water park, and several observation decks, including the world’s third-highest observation viewpoint.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Invisible Skyscrapers
- Opportunities for architectural firms to develop and construct visually stunning and unobtrusive buildings.
- LED Facade Systems
- Opportunities for LED technology and optical camera manufacturers to provide building solutions that enhance the appearance of modern cities.
- Real-time Image Projection
- Opportunities for software developers to create innovative tools that use real-time images to blend buildings into their surroundings.
Where This Applies
- Construction
- Invisible skyscrapers could revolutionize urban development by allowing architects to design unobtrusive buildings that preserve open space.
- Tourism and Entertainment
- The inclusion of theme parks and observation decks in skyscrapers could generate new revenue streams and transform urban landscapes into major tourist attractions.
- Technology
- The development of LED facade systems and optical cameras that capture real-time footage for projection presents an opportunity for technology firms to build solutions that integrate with the built environment.
