'orb' is a 50m radius illuminating sphere proposed to float over thessaloniki, greece

aiming to rejuvenate the urban landscape of thessaloniki, greece, architecture student chris lazarou has introduced the ‘orb’, a 50m radius illuminating sphere proposed to float above the city port. the chrome sphere, filled with hot air or helium, will function as an airborne antenna emitting signal and wi-fi, thus bringing revenue to the municipality.

all images courtesy of chris lazarou

‘similar airborne antennas have been proven 40% more financially sustainable while their emission is equal to that of 15 ordinary ground antennas’ chris lazarou shares. during nighttime, the orb illuminates internally like a fiery star. in a way, the ‘orb’ serves as an urban capacitor, collecting the energy of the city, and attributing it back in a dynamic manner. in addition, the sphere, as a massive, yet immaterial source of light, dilutes the chaotic concrete scenery that seems to dominate thessaloniki nowadays.

the proposal intends to terminate the 27-meter height that is enforced throughout the city’s constructions, without having to resort to costly skyscraper construction. this height limitation ‘is actually trying to mentally subdue the psychology of thessaloniki’ the architect states. last but not least, to make sure that the ‘orb’ is in accordance with the ecology-sustainability agenda of the 21st century, bird-friendly stickers are to be applied on its surface. in this fashion, nearby birds will be protected from crashing on the reflective sphere.  

project info: 

name: the orb

architect: chris lazarou

location: thessaloniki, greece