Atlas City Project

I believe we need to narrow down what we're specifically looking for in regards to Living environment domociles. I have a whole ton of ideas, but we need to see if we can come up with something that doesn't take up a lot of space, but isn't cramped as well as integrate it with other systems in regards to energy and agriculture.

This is probably my best design at the moment in accordance to Wild1's design:



Now most of the apartments are contained internally through the core of the building, it's mainly the extension of the living room that comes out that meets with the length of the triangular solar panels located at the bottom of the building.

There's a lot of development potential for this building to include aquaponics, recycling and other energy efficient systems within it.

But I think we need to know if we are attempting make mainly skyscraper type living environments as well as independent housing. I think we need to throw some more ideas down on the table. Are we looking for homes like the Zerohouse?



Or perhaps a community of homes shaped similar to the gear:



I think if we come up with more ideas that are appropriate for Atlas City, this will be able to knock down a very large list of possible homes that we can create. Then once we have the homes settled, we can move onto other elements of this city. But I suggest we stick to one thing at a time so we have that idea solidified and then move onto the next architectural issue.

Id like to offer my thoughts on this topic if thats ok =)

lets remember that this is conceptual thinking and that we are not limited to any single way of building. We want to remember to be as efficient as possible and build with the least amount of waste. Intelligent design is the concept of Atlas. Knowledge of building materials is very helpful here. We are going to use new methods in building. I have heard there are a lot of biodegradable building materials in use now, I am not sure what they are though.

The circular city concept isnt very efficient even though it looks pretty. Using land for crops is also wasteful when we could use hydroponics instead.

Solar panels have to be south facing only if you are in the northern hemisphere and north facing only if you are in the southern hemisphere. Also where shadows are cast is a major factor in determining where to place a PV array. So using solar panels is more efficient if they are on the roof and move with the sun. A solar panel loses 98% of its effectiveness if it is not pointed at the sun for at least the majority of the day.

Wind turbines are good for climates that have a lot of wind. They work best if they are taller than the building but since they generally have to be very tall means they shouldnt be around a PV Array because they will cast shadows on the Array which negates their effectiveness.

The "pod" idea of the building means that each pod will have to have an exceptional amount of supports in place to keep it from falling off the building. A square structure makes more sense even though it is status quo.


Instead of looking at individual dwellings maybe conceptualizing an educational facility or a scientific facility?

City layout is important too.

I highly favor 'casino' structure types like City Center and here is why:

1) Highly efficient use of space
2) Rooms will be larger than casino, but only a few hundred square feet bigger (maybe 800-1000 Sq ft)
3) each floor can have shared entertainment areas accommodating a variety of interests (Restaurants, Theater Rooms, Pool Table and Arcades, Swimming Area, exclusive Nudist Rec Area (if we have enough interest), etc.
4) Highly efficient heating and cooling through central air
5) Less outside wall space per unit means less environmental heat/cold loss.
6) Smaller human footprint allowing more space for agriculture
7) No streets means no cars inside the city, we may want a tram but that's it for inner city travel
8) The cities industry can be supported within the same building
9) Lower floors could be shelters for emergency events
10) Can be high providing a view for higher floor residents

Some of these are more important than others, but I also think this design will be more affordable and more attractive to tourism which will be desired to help fund the city.

Rooms should be functional, stylish, modular (offering personal modular choices to residents - but nothing so extravagant to be wasteful of resources).

Some good feedback data here. This is what I've been looking for. Thanks guys, this will make it a little easier with concept construction.