South Korea’s Invisible Skyscraper

Rather than try to build the world’s largest tower, hotel, or other type structure, South Korea has approved the world’s first invisible skyscraper. The 1,476-foot Tower Infinity will use cameras to capture real-time images of the surroundings and then process and display those images in a way to make the tower seem invisible.

American architectural firm GDS is designing the building, and they are referring to the project as the “anti-tower” because it sets itself apart from other skyscrapers around the world by becoming invisible. According to CNN, the building will house cameras that will capture real-time images of the surroundings, which will be displayed on hundreds of rows of LED screens spread over the tower and will allow observers to take in the view that the tower would otherwise block. Digital processing will modify the images to allow the building to blend in with its surroundings further, thereby ensuring the camouflage is even more effective. Due to the arrangement of the cameras, the tower will only be invisible from certain vantage points such as the Seoul Bridge. It will always be visible to planes flying overhead.  When the cameras are not being used to hide the building, they will turn the tower into a giant billboard with various advertisements and even broadcast certain special events.

The building will be located next to Incheon Airport just outside of Seoul, South Korea. GDS won South Korean design competition for the right to design the tower in 2008. They beat 146 other entries from 46 countries. The project received approval in September 2013 and will be completed in 2014. Once finished, the Tower Infinity will become the sixth largest tower in the world and will have the third highest observatory in the world at 1,302 feet above ground. The building will be primarily used for entertainment purposes. It will feature a roller coaster, waterpark, gardens, and many restaurants.