Gyre Concept by Zigloo

April 30, 2010 Category: eco design, public building

Another nice sustainable design concept from Zigloo, Gyre will create a new class of eco-tourism by bringing scientists and vacationers together to understand what is the least known environment on our planet, the ocean. As much as a skyscraper is an economical method of reducing humankind’s footprint on land, Gyre goes a step further by juxtaposing that footprint to the ocean, and is perhaps its greenest feature. Its unique design permits the simultaneous application of wind, solar, and tidal energy generation technologies thereby making it truly ‘off-grid’. Peaking at a depth of 400m, its ample space provides for a comfortable living and working environment, including space for shops, restaurants, gardens, and recreation.

The center piece of the design features a double-hulled vortex with both hulls being clad in reinforced glass, where each of the floor levels are essentially a layering of concentric rings ranging in size from 30,000 sq.m. down to 600 sq.m. Inclinators riding along the inner structural ribs provide for vertical/diagonal transportation between floors. Total floor area of the entire structure (levels, radial arms, barriers) is approximately 212,000 sq.m. (or roughly 40 football fields). The Gyre’s radial arms feature a pedestrian upper level and a transit system on the lower level to access to the outer protective barriers. The barriers create an inner harbor and port of approximately 1.25 km in diameter, accommodating the needs of even the world’s largest ships.

Gyre also uses solar energy and vertical axis wind turbin to produce electricity for their own needs. There are two system of solar glazing used. The first is a semi transparent solar window used facing the open-air, on the inner vortex. The second is a glass with printed array of solar cells spaced to create partial shading that is used as a solar pergola or roof material. Underwater nacelle’s function both as tidal generators when the structure is anchored and as thrusters for propulsion when Gyre is under way. Its shape will manage the undersea pressures and stresses. Just like another sustainable design, Gyre also use rain water as water sources, which is collected in the inner vortex and purified on the Gyre’s base. Mechanical systems and emergency freshwater storage basins are in the deepest portion of the structure.

Community gathering places, restaurants, commerce and circulation are focused on the first two level of Gyre’s vortex. ntermediate levels accommodate long-term residents, oceanic experts, hotel guests and crew quarters totaling as many as 2000 people. The deepest levels are dedicated to a scientific observatory for oceanographic research and an Interpretive Center for public discovery of the depths of the ocean.