A building in motion?
 

This sounds very cool, but I can't imagine the engineering challenges that will have to be overcome. How do you deal with electrical and plumbing on a building that is constantly spinning?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/0..._n_109274.html

Imagine the sheer number of moving parts that would be involved. What if one moving part fails?

In reading up a bit about the architect, he sounds shady. He apparently fabricated his resume to include an honorary doctorate from a school that doesn't exist. For a $1 billion purchase price, I would think the owners should be concerned about something like fabrication of a resume by their chief architect (who is totally unproven in the area of skyscrapers).

It is a fascinating idea, but I concur with you. As the center is stationary, I wondered it the wet walls would all be in the core. Electricity would be easy (think of a metro, for example).

Yes, the electricity would be simpler. I suppose HVAC units would have to be built inside each revolving floor (as opposed to the roof) so ductwork wouldn't have to cross into the center of the building. Plumbing could work with flexible plumbing lines, but it would take some thought. I read that the condominiums are going to be sold for $3500 per square foot. Yikes.

Dubai is really playing their cards well. They are integrating into the world market and drawing huge tourism to the area by catering to the super wealthy. It is becoming an international center of business (and a Dubai company is about to purchase one of the largest buildings in New York City).

I made this a footnote in a piece I'm writing that includes a discussion of the politics of the oblique.

Thanks for the heads up.

This building will be an epic disaster.

What could possibly go wrong?

Steve McQueen epic!

Ishtar epic?