polar umbrella skyscraper by derek pirozzi to regenerate the arctic ice caps

‘polar umbrella skyscraper’ by derek pirozzi will regenerate the arctic ice capsimage courtesy eVolo

during the last decades of global warming, the polar ice caps have experienced a severe rise in temperature causing the northern and southern ice shelves to become thin, fractured, and melt into the ocean. rebuilding the arctic layers is the primary objective of this proposal which cools down the earth’s surface by reducing heat gain in vulnerable regions. as a response, american architect derek pirozzi has developed the ‘polar umbrella skyscraper’ – which has been awarded first prize in this year’s eVolo skyscraper competition.

through its desalinization and power facilities, the skyscraper becomes a floating metropolis equipped with NOAA (national oceanic and atmospheric administration) research laboratories, renewable power stations, dormitory-style housing units, eco-tourist attractions, and ecological habitats for wildlife. a series of these modules would be strategically located in the most affected areas. as a result, the buoyant super-structure becomes a statement for the prevention of future depletion of our protective glacial region. the architectural concept provides a rejuvenating system of the ice fields by recycling salt water found in the sea – producing a renewable source of energy through an osmotic (salinity gradient power) power facility housed within the building’s core. in return, the system processes the ocean water to rebuild and thicken the earth’s protective film. it is through this process that the large canopy alleviates direct ultra violet exposure – absorbing the UV rays in exchange for usable thermal energy.

the buoyant super-structure becomes a statement for the prevention of future depletion of our protective glacial regionimage courtesy eVolo

the architectural concept provides a rejuvenating system of the ice fields by recycling salt water found in the seaimage courtesy eVolo