Generating Process of Absolute Towers

Basic floor plan.

1. Array 56 curves

2.Rotate these curves using rad node to get the general shape.

3. Use planar node and extrude these curves to get the floors. 

4. Generate the top floor (roof).

5.  Use horizontal frames to locate the small railings on the
top floor and extrude them.

                               6. Generate the glass handrails inside the floor curve.

                          

                                  7. Extrude the small railings on the glass handrails.

8. Generate core tube inside.    

9. Generate the glass wall hanging outside.

10. Generate several rays from the center of the core tube, then I can get the intersection of these rays and floor curves. Connect these intersections through a line. Finally extrude these line so I can have these bearing walls.

    11. Use several steps to extract the start points,the end points, and the points between them to loft, in this way we can get the second skin.The whole form is finished.

    12. Use wind force, gravity, and spring force as three sets of stress to deform the glass screen. The glass screen will deform under these three forces.( I only extract part of the shape to run kangaroo node, because the calculation load would be too heavy for the whole shape.)

    13. Finally, use several node to test the area, boundary, curvature,and edge points...     of this part.

Generating Process of Absolute Towers

Introduction

Modernism has a famous motto: A house is a machine for living in. However, as we progress further away from the machine age, we are left with a question: what message should architecture convey? What is the house of today?

Like other fast developing suburbs in North America, Mississauga is seeking a new identity. This is an opportunity to respond to the needs of an expanding city, to create a residential landmark that strives for more than simple efficiency and that provides residents an emotional connection to their hometown. 

In place of the simple, functional logic of modernism, our design expresses the complex and multiple needs of contemporary society. This building is more than just a functional machine: it responds to the significance of being located at the junction of two main streets, elegantly bearing its landmark status and acting as a gateway to the city beyond. It is something beautiful, sculptural and human.

Despite its landmark status, the emphasis is not solely on height. Our design features a continuous balcony that surrounds the whole building, eliminating the vertical barriers traditionally used in high rise architecture. The entire building rotates by different degrees at different levels, corresponding with the surrounding scenery. Our aim is to provide 360 degree views for each residential unit, and to get city dwellers in touch with the natural elements and reawaken their appreciation of nature.

The Absolute Tower has been nicknamed Marilyn Monroe by the locals.

Location: Mississauga, Toronto, Canada
Typology: Residential
2006-2012

Tower A: 45,000 sqm, 56 stories/ height 170 m 
Tower B: 40,000 sqm, 50 stories/ height 150 m

Directors: Ma Yansong, Yosuke Hayano, Dang Qun
Design Team: Shen Jun, Robert Groessinger, Florian Pucher, Yi Wenzhen, Hao Yi, Yao Mengyao, Zhao Fan, Liu Yuan, Zhao Wei, Li Kunjuan, Yu Kui, Max Lonnqvist, Eric Spencer

Associate Architects: BURKA Architects INC.
Structural Engineer: SIGMUND, SOUDACK & ASSOCIATES INC.
Mechanical Engineer: ECE Group
Electrical Engineer: ECE Group

Landscape Architect: NAK Design
Interior Designer: ESQAPE Design

From:      MAD Architects