Rio de Janeiro will once again be the starting point for a global green movement as it looks to host the first carbon-neutral Olympic Games in 2016.
To enable the city to achieve this goal RAFAA Architecture and Design have proposed the construction of a self-sustaining landmark. The Solar City Tower, to be located on Cotunduba Island at the entrance to Guanabara Bay, will provide energy for the Olympic Village and the city using natural resources.
By day the tower will function as a solar power plant, with the excess energy being used to pump seawater into the tower. The water will then be released at night to provide electricity to light the tower or for the city, or be pumped over the side of the tower on special occasions to form an urban waterfall to symbolise the forces of nature.
Visitors will be able to access the building via the urban plaza, located 60m above sea level, where they can visit the shop and cafeteria (located under the waterfall) or use the elevator to visit the retractable bungee platform at level 90.5 or the observation platforms at level 98. The urban balcony, situated at the top of the building 105m above sea level, provides 360° views and an opportunity for visitors to experience the waterfall via the glass sky walk.
