Downtown Circle by ZN Era architects is intended to surround Dubai’s Burj Khalifa and take the form of a mixed-use ‘skypark’ above the clouds. Rose Dykins reports
Local emirati architectural studio ZN Era has unveiled a design for a 550-metre-high, circular skyscraper that would form a ring around Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest freestanding tower.
Comprising two interconnected rings supported by five vertical beams, Downtown Circle would measure 3km in circumference. ZN Era envisions a self-sufficient, sustainable “continuous metropolis” that would provide a solution to rapid urbanisation and population growth in Dubai.
Downtown Circle would be divided into smaller units housing residential, public, commercial and cultural spaces. The structure would have its own delivery pad for incoming and outgoing drone delivery services.
Speaking to Khajeel Times, Chowdhry said: “Like what we see with the Line in Neom, Saudi Arabia, the Downtown Circle is meant to trigger emotions among those who see the designs. We want it to start a conversation about modern architectural possibilities.”
ZN Era has conceived other groundbreaking ideas to improve urban life. For example, its Smog Tower project – a network of giant towers that absorb pollution and transform it into breathable air – was shortlisted for the Experimental Future Project of the year award at the 2018 World Architecture Festival. Chowdry and Remess have also come up with a design for the world’s first Vertical Mosque.