World's First Invisible Skyscraper Infinity Tower In Korea

By Karanvir Singh / INN Live

If not further, the desire of the human being to go invisible dates back to the ancient Greek. And this very desire that recently led scientists at the University of Texas in Austin to develop a thin material called a 'mantle cloak', like Harry Potter's cloak, has now led the American architectural firm GDS Architects to create the world's first invisible skyscraper 'Infinity Tower' through the use of a sophisticated LED facade system with optional cameras.

Instead of symbolizing prominence as another of the world's tallest tower and incredible ultra-modern construction, the visionary GDS Architects impressively aims to provide the world's first invisible tower in South Korea, representing the Power of Absence and the Strength of "Nothingness" often referred to by revered American architect Louis Kahn, who designed the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (1962).

In addition to being able to appear invisible, the Infinity Tower will also boast the third largest observation deck in the world, along with shops, restaurants, movie theaters, water-park, and numerous other entertainment and leisure options to please South Korean tourists. 

When completed, it's expected to come in sixth on the list of the world's highest towers, behind Tokyo SkyTree, Guangzhou's CantonTower, Toronto's CN Tower, Moscow's Ostankino Tower and Shanghai's Oriental Pearl. 

Rather than attempt to hide the structure behind an elaborate facade system, the design team utilized BIM Parametric modeling to derive the optimal balance of providing necessary program area at key points, the building's overall massing aesthetic while providing structural regularity and construction ease. The result is a continuing series of diminishing diamond shapes from very large to very small. 

The Primary Concept of the Tower to render itself "Invisible" is the result of a sophisticated skin system utilizing LED Bars and a series of 18 weatherproof cameras that are strategically integrated within the diagrid mullion system, and will send real-time images onto the building's reflective surface. The cameras will capture the area around the building to display through the projectors, resulting the tower seem transparent when the projectors are turned on.

Interestingly, this same technology also allows the tower to become 450 meter tall Billboard screen to broadcast special events or advertisements and urban focal point for all arriving at Incheon. 

On the company's website, it explains that the tower will establish Korea's rising position in the world not by building the tallest tower, but "establishing its most powerful presence through diminishing its presence."