4 Buildings That Defy the Laws of Gravity

I wasn't sure which forum this would fit in so here you go.....General Chit Chat!

I’ve always been fascinated with strange architecture and man’s ability to create large structures. Skyscrapers are cool but I came across this article today that caught my attention and thought I’d share. These are some pretty amazing feats of architecture IMO. I’m not sure I’d be comfortable inside any of these structures but they sure are a great achievement for the people who designed and built them. Enjoy!



#4 CCTV Headquarters in China

The CCTV headquarters is home to one of China's largest television broadcasters. Judging from the size of the place, we're assuming it's also where they keep their political dissidents.

The loop design allows a person to walk through the 44-story building in a complete circle. Relax, that only sounds like something you have no interest in doing. You'll probably change your mind once you get a look at the view.

If you're scared of heights that building ^ will expose you!



#3 WoZoCo Apartments in Amsterdam

When the WoZoCo apartments were built in Amsterdam, 100 units were planned, but only 87 would meet regulations without expanding the building outward. So, naturally, they had to do this.

That guy on the bike underneath that building has some stones!




#2 Astra Tower in Germany

It was called the Astra Tower, and it used to house the brewery that, fittingly, made Astra beer. But that operation eventually moved to a new building, leaving the Astra Tower no other use than forcing nearby residents to live in constant fear of being crushed to death by one of the most awkwardly designed buildings ever. It was demolished in 2005 and replaced with, you know, a normal a building.

Does Germany have many earthquakes?

I’m sure you’ll never see a design like that in Japan or California.




#1 Ontario College of Art and Design in Canada

The Ontario College of Art and Design had problems. For starters, they needed a bigger building. On top of that, they're a college of art, and the Internet exists now. Accepted standards of conduct under those circumstances dictate that you must build the most audacious-looking structure imaginable. As you can see, they nailed it.

link

How appropriate!

If anyone has any other cool architectural anomalies please share!

Originally posted by seabag

That guy on the bike underneath that building has some stones!

I've worked on a few construction sites, I would NOT be under that building.

Cool pics though

D post

Originally posted by seabag

If you're scared of heights that building ^ will expose you!

I am scared of heights!

So, I thought I'd add this one!

GLASS BALCONY POOLS AT AQUARIA GRANDE RESIDENTIAL TOWER IN MUMBAI, INDIA
inthralld.com... ampaign=scribol.com

YIKES!

Great thread idea!

reply to post by VoidHawk

I've worked on a few construction sites, I would NOT be under that building.
Cool pics though.

Thanks!

Yes, that’s a little sketchy!

I’m not sure how that’s even supported!! My brain doesn’t work that way, which is probably why I’m like a deer in headlights when I see pix like that!

S&F

Excellent thread.

I always love seeing engineering feats that seem to accomplish the impossible.

The Falkirk Wheel in Scotland would have to be up there with the best of them.

Perfectly balanced (Archimedes principle), it only requires enough energy to rotate the dock.

en.wikipedia.org...

These caissons (also known as gondolas)[3] always weigh the same whether or not they are carrying their combined capacity of 600 tonnes (590 long tons; 660 short tons) of floating canal barges as, according to Archimedes' principle, floating objects displace their own weight in water, so when the boat enters, the amount of water leaving the caisson weighs exactly the same as the boat. This keeps the wheel balanced. Despite its enormous mass, it rotates through 180° in five-and-a-half minutes using very little power. It takes just 22.5 kilowatts (30.2 hp) to power the electric motors, which consume just 1.5 kilowatt-hours (5.4 MJ) of energy in four minutes, roughly the same as boiling eight kettles of water.

reply to post by seabag


Interesting, and thanks for posting....but hardly gravity defying.

If they were floating in mid air or looking like they should topple over then they would be worthy of your thread title perhaps.

This is a little more like it....

Ukrainian Building

Or This

Originally posted by VoidHawk

Originally posted by seabag

That guy on the bike underneath that building has some stones!

I've worked on a few construction sites, I would NOT be under that building.

Cool pics though

Dude, that's the understatement of the year..I can't believe people walk under that thing...on topic: Humans can be pretty damn ingenious when they want to be..To bad we spend most of our time killing and fighting each other..Think of where we could be if we would all grow up and get along..We could be building stuff like this on other worlds

Originally posted by windword

I am scared of heights!

So, I thought I'd add this one!

GLASS BALCONY POOLS AT AQUARIA GRANDE RESIDENTIAL TOWER IN MUMBAI, INDIA
inthralld.com... ampaign=scribol.com

YIKES!

Great thread idea!

Thanks!

THAT'S SICK!!!

I'd swim in it!

I'm surprised they don't have something like that in Vegas yet!

reply to post by OccamAssassin

I always love seeing engineering feats that seem to accomplish the impossible.

The Falkirk Wheel in Scotland would have to be up there with the best of them.

I found a picture of it….

That is pretty cool.

reply to post by windword


How about this for heights?

Have you seen the Grand Canyon Skywalk?

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a transparent horseshoe-shaped cantilever bridge and tourist attraction in Arizona near the Colorado River on the edge of a side canyon in the Grand Canyon West area of the main canyon.[1] USGS topographic maps show the elevation at the Skywalk's location as 4,770 ft (1,450 m) and the elevation of the Colorado River in the base of the canyon as 1,160 ft (350 m), and they show that the height of the precisely vertical drop directly under the skywalk is between 500 ft (150 m) and 800 ft (240 m).

wiki

Originally posted by VoidHawk

Originally posted by seabag

That guy on the bike underneath that building has some stones!

I've worked on a few construction sites, I would NOT be under that building.

Cool pics though

Hahah me too mate , you wouldnt find me standing underneath that . Crazy. Id love to know how it was built and how it handles that weight, im gonna check it out in more detail.

Thanks OP

reply to post by nerbot


Those are insane!

For those who didn’t check out the link, here you go:





That last one looks like a 2012 Prepper's fantasy!

I think the amsterdam one was not done on purpose,
Lazy cheap developers, making dangerous structures.
I wouldn't live in it, I bet the rent is dirt cheap. I could jump
off that bottom floor and land. The Chinese structure seems neat
I wouldn't mind visiting it and taking a tour if china ever turned into
a republic We can dream!

reply to post by popcornmafia

I think the amsterdam one was not done on purpose,
Lazy cheap developers, making dangerous structures.
I wouldn't live in it, I bet the rent is dirt cheap.

I would think it cost a lot more to pull off a building like that than to just go UP; add a few floors.

Whether they meant to or not they’ve definitely attracted attention to it.

Originally posted by seabag
reply to post by popcornmafia

 

I think the amsterdam one was not done on purpose,
Lazy cheap developers, making dangerous structures.
I wouldn't live in it, I bet the rent is dirt cheap.

I would think it cost a lot more to pull off a building like that than to just go UP; add a few floors.

Whether they meant to or not they’ve definitely attracted attention to it.

So was it on purpose or not? I cant find any info confirming it.

reply to post by popcornmafia


Hell, I don't know.

I'm too fascinated with this new one I found!

I need a new damned job!

Originally posted by seabag
reply to post by popcornmafia

 

Hell, I don't know.

I'm too fascinated with this new one I found!

I need a new damned job!

That is a luxury, caviar dreams type building.

Let me point out a d bag

Guy in that speedo, very bottom pool waiting for his
BF to come back with some chocalate pudding

The picture is staged with models, make a
bet the real clients are not as stunning

reply to post by popcornmafia


But if you can afford a balcony or pool like that I bet you're place would be filled with models!

The best part is, if you had a place like that you wouldn't give a crap!

Who could be miserable with a view like that?

Originally posted by seabag
reply to post by popcornmafia

 

But if you can afford a balcony or pool like that I bet you're place would be filled with models!

The best part is, if you had a place like that you wouldn't give a crap!

Who could be miserable with a view like that?

Models>? Mean Strippers and Hookers>?
Cuzz thats what id have