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City of the Future: Design Under Pressure |
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Dr. Samuel Says -
Smart Design
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Written by Dr. Samuel Centralia, Ph.D., D.D.S., Esq.
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Monday, 03 March 2008 |
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The History Channel recently sponsored a design competition for
architects and engineers in Atlanta, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
Competing teams were asked to envision a model for their city as it
might exist 100 years from now. The catch? Designers had one week to
plan, three hours to construct their models, and 15 minutes to make
their case to a panel of judges. So, you know… no pressure.
The regional winners have been announced, and you can see their work here at the City of the Future contest website. The contest is affiliated with the History Channel's excellent Cities of the Underground series (9 pm Mondays, EST), and final results -- including the national winner -- will be broadcast on the season finale May 5.
 It's all terribly impressive. Atlanta is reimagined as a "city in the forest," in which trees take back the city and manmade structures are superconcentrated to minimize environmental impact. Washington D.C. emerges as a fortified city ringed by giant multipurpose towers incorporating rainwater harvesting, hydroponic farming and defensive lasers. San Francisco gets the most radical makeover, with subterranean hydrogen-powered hovercars, vast algae ponds and vertical housing superstructures dwarfing the tallest skyscrapers.
Now as you know, I have already excavated several underground bunkers in secret locations throughout the world. I am partial to planning ahead. Way ahead. So I love the idea that these teams are Thinking Big. I also like the idea of a lightning-round-contest type approach to massive urban engineering. "Quick! Off the top of your head -- redesign your entire city and stave off ecological disaster!" These sorts of tasks focus attention nicely.
Check out the website and you can cast a vote for your regional favorite. There are some short term rewards here as well -- by voting and filling out some of the usual online contest forms, you will be entered to win a home theater system, complete with 50-inch flat screen TV and Blu-Ray player. Voting ends April 28.
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