From Superinnovators 14/11/23. This article is in TLDR (Too Long Didn’t Read) format which is popular in the innovation community and provides a bullet summary of information.
- Pioneering architectural concept: The Big Bend is a proposed skyscraper by Oiio Studio, designed to be the world’s longest at 4,000 feet, curving over Manhattan’s Billionaire’s Row in a novel U-shape that challenges traditional skyscraper forms.
- Innovative design team: Oiio Studio, an architecture firm that prides itself on pushing the boundaries of design, aims to leverage The Big Bend as a creative response to the luxury housing boom and strict zoning laws in New York City.
- Historical and future context: The concept for The Big Bend was introduced in 2017 by Oiio Studio, which has not yet provided a timeline for construction or completion, reflecting the firm’s ambition to create a future architectural landmark.
- Engineering breakthrough: The design of The Big Bend is predicated on the development of a lift capable of navigating the skyscraper’s unique shape, which would be a first-of-its-kind technology enabling both vertical and horizontal travel within a continuous loop.
- Urban space solution: The Big Bend’s design is a direct answer to Manhattan’s scarcity of buildable land, proposing a vertical loop that would provide a large amount of residential space without expanding the city’s footprint, thereby preserving ground-level urban space.
- Economic and social impact: If realised, The Big Bend could command premium prices for its residences due to its unique architecture and the status of having an address in what could be a globally recognised building, potentially setting new records for property values.
- Investment and development strategy: As of the latest updates, The Big Bend remains a visionary project, with Oiio Studio seeking investors to fund the ambitious undertaking, which could significantly alter the economics and aesthetics of New York’s real estate market.
