2018 Best of Design Award winner for Unbuilt – Commercial and Mixed Use: Uber Sky Tower

Designer: Pickard Chilton
Location: Los Angeles

Pickard Chilton developed the Sky Tower prototype based on Uber’s vision for Elevate, an aerial ride-sharing network. The speculative megacapacity hub opts to dock aircraft on modular, moving platforms. A precise sequence allows crafts to land, recharge, board, and position for takeoff within five minutes. A sophisticated louver system, vegetation, and photovoltaics shield the interiors from the sun while capturing solar energy. Wind turbines and energy recovery systems supply the charging stations. The ground level transit hub offers connections to commuter trains, buses, bikes, and cabs. The autonomous flying shuttles would cruise 1,000 to 2,000 feet above city streets, reaching speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. Passengers would board at set pick-up and drop-off locations, rather than hailing the vehicles like taxis.

Honorable Mention

Project name: Nansha Scholar’s Tower
Designers: Synthesis Design + Architecture and SCUT Architectural Design & Research Institute
Location: Nansha, China