sierraclub.org - sierra magazine - march/april 2012 - future-cities - your future city?

Your Future City? | Six new visions for the green city of tomorrow

By Colin Griffin

Vincent Callebaut Architectures

With his Dragonfly skyscraper, Vincent Callebaut takes the almost worn-out "vertical urban farm" concept and gives it a massive dose of hallucinogens. At more than two and a half times the height of the Empire State Building, the dragonfly wing–shaped über-farm would tower over Manhattan, housing everything from apricot orchards to livestock pastures.

Stupefaction factor: 10. America's tallest building, in its largest city, would be a futuristic Noah's Ark, a symbol of our nation's commitment to the environment and a stunning example of the strength of mankind. Moreover, it would be shaped like a freaking dragonfly wing.

Fantasy Factor: 10. This will not happen. Ever.