Roofs that Never Were
In the past we have written lots of articles about roofs. Iconic roofs, the tallest roofs today, roofs that once existed but don't anymore. In today's article, we want to talk about the roofs that were never built - building plans that never came to fruition. We hope that this article might help you imagine what these buildings would have been like if they were ever finished.
Palace of the Soviets, USSR
Part of a wave of architecturally-innovative construction projects begun by the Soviet Union, the Palace of the Soviets was a massive complex centred around a huge skyscraper topped by a colossal statue of Lenin - somewhat like a much wider, hollow Nelson's Column. This palace would have dominated the Moscow skyline and would have been a truly incredible sight. However, construction was unfortunately halted following Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union, and the great steel frame which would have supported the palace was recycled and used in the war effort.
The Triumphant Elephant, France
The Triumphant Elephant is not dissimilar to the Arc de Triomphe. It would have been built in Paris, a gargantuan elephant drafted in 1758, and would have featured a fountain which flowed out of the trunk and into a pool around the legs of the beast. The elephant itself would contain a spiral staircase leading to numerous interior levels, including an orchestra whose music would reach the surrounding streets via the elephant's great stone ears.
Hotel Attraction, USA
Antonio Gaudi was a legendary architect who designs revitalised the city of Barcelona. Hotel Attraction was the plan to bring Gaudi's designs to the streets of New York in the form of a 360-metre skyscraper surrounded by conical towers and topped by a great spherical star. Despite being backed by multiple wealthy investors, the design was considered too unrealistic, and Gaudi himself eventually backed out.
Shimizu Mega-City Pyramid, Japan
The Shimizu Mega-City Pyramid is perhaps the most ambitious project on this list. Standing at 6,561 feet tall, and aiming to house 1 million people, the structure would have been composed of 36 foundational piers and 55 smaller pyramids, ultimately standing 12 times taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza. The Mega-City Pyramid would have been strong enough to withstand earthquakes and tsunamis - sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? Well it is: the materials needed for the pyramid's construction don't exist yet. While the Mega-City Pyramid may exist one day, it will be a long way off.