Unique tree-shaped skyscrapers

A skyscraper shaped like a tree in fictional movies like Star Wars could become a reality in 2012.

Taichung City (Taiwan) organized a competition to design future buildings for the city. The skyscraper design model called Floating Observatoryies , which takes the form of a tree with swaying leaves, won the first prize and can be started in 2012.

This building is set higher than 300m and has a look like a tree with 8 floating observatories like leaves. These observatories both function as a city panoramic observatory and function as elevators that can move up and down very flexibly.

The Romanian design team said the observatories will be built with ultralight materials and connected to the main part of the building with a powerful electromagnet force. Once completed, this building will be used as a working office, museum, restaurant and entertainment area.

In addition, Floating Observatoryies are also designed with the latest green technologies for maximum energy savings. The electricity supplied to the building will be provided by wind turbines and solar power systems. Meanwhile, heating and hot water are provided from a geothermal plant.

Architect Stefan Dorin , the design author of the whole house, said: ' We are inspired by the image of Taiwan from the top - like a leaf. The building is like a tree with 8 "leaves" that function as elevators that can move up and down and are ideal places for people to see the whole city . '

Here are some photos of this unique building: