The skylines of cities across the globe are shaped with weird and wonderful architecture.
But imagine panning across the cityscape and seeing inflatable skyscrapers as far as the eye can see.
That dream may well become a reality according to one architecture firm.
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Architecture firm Zumo recently released some breathtaking images on its Instagram page of inflatable skyscrapers that the company claims are also sustainable.
“Imagine towering skyscrapers that rise like colossal balloons, transforming city skylines with their awe-inspiring presence,” the image caption reads.
“Introducing the revolutionary concept of inflatable skyscrapers, where architectural marvels and innovation come together,” it adds.
Before we get carried away, let’s just make one thing clear – the balloon-like structures are not real yet.
They are, for now, something imagined by Midjourney, but they soon could become a reality.
Floating above cities from New York to Tokyo, London to Dubai, the illustrations show inflatable skyscrapers constructed from lightweight and flexible materials.
And, according to the firm, these materials are sustainable, although it doesn’t going into detail about this particular fact.
We can imagine, though, that they could easily be torn down and reused in another space if the need should arise.
The inflatable skyscrapers represent a future where the buildings that soar over our skylines could do so without incurring a damaging carbon footprint.
To put it simply, these inflatable skyscrapers are just as much about building green as they are about building high.
That’s not to say architects are taking the necessary steps tom produce energy-efficient buildings already, though.
Take the Shanghai Tower, completed in 2015, which is currently the second tallest building in the world.
Despite towering over the Shanghai skyline, the skyscraper possesses the highest possible energy rating – LEED Platinum.
For starters, the unique shape and design of the tower allow it to effectively resist wind load, which saved 20,000 metric tons of steel reinforcement during its construction.
What’s more, it also boasts a huge reliance on clean, renewable energy, significantly reducing the tower’s consumption and emissions.
Can these inflatable skyscrapers follow in the Shanghai Tower’s footsteps?
