Solar City Tower is a huge solar powered waterfall standing 105m above sea level, designed by Swiss architecture firm RAFAA for the 2016 Olympic Games. This Solar City Tower is built on a small island nearby the Rio de Janeiro shore line, Brazil. This observation tower will be a symbol for welcoming all those who visit Rio de Janeiro, whether they arrive by air or sea. And it will also be a symbol for the first zero carbon footprint Olympic Games. This solar city tower even includes bungee jumping and a “glass sky walk” at the very top.
The project consists of a solar power plant that by day produces energy for the city, specifically the Olympic village. Excess energy will be pumped as seawater into a tower. By night, the water can be released again; with the help of turbines, it generates electricity for the night. The electricity produced can be used for the lighting of the tower or for the city. On special occasions, this “machine building” turns into an impressive wonder of nature: an urban waterfall, a symbol for the forces of nature.
At the same time, it will be the representation of a collective awareness of the city towards its great surrounding landscape. Via an urban plaza located 60 meters over sea, one can gain access to the building. Through the amphitheatre, you reach the entrance situated on the ground floor.
Both entrance area and amphitheatre can serve as a place for social gatherings and events. The public spaces are also accessible from this point on. The cafeteria and the shop are situated beneath the waterfall and offer a breathtaking view. The public elevator takes the visitor to the observation decks and the urban balcony. The administration offices can be reached directly from the foyer. Its inner circulation is organised by an own entrance and the elevator.
The semi-public spaces are located in the back area of the building; thus, they can be used separately. A retractable platform for bungee jumping is located on level +90.5. Long distance observation can be done from the observation deck on level +98.0. The urban balcony is situated at the top of the tower 105 meters above sea level. Here the visitor has a 360° view of the landscape and can experience the waterfall while walking over the glass sky walk.
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