Future architecture

I

've considered worldbuilding potential in many things of minor import in the building of your fantasy or science fiction world--such as waking routines or fashion and shoes.  Seems to me that even the simplest invention can have ripple effects that would influence esthetics and design choices for buildings, infrastructure and artworks. 

One concrete example (forgive the pun) is concrete itself.  The Romans' invention of concrete was partly based on the particular soils of their region (forgive the lack of research; I know this to be so, but can't recall the specifics) and concrete as well as superior architectural skills and stone working skills allowed for monumental public works projects, the Appian Way, the Coliseum, aqueducts that are still in use two thousand years later. 

So.  A small change in building materials, or even a loss of knowledge (as the Dark Ages clawed into the Renaissance and the peoples of Europe had to rediscover many previously known principles of building design and construction).  And a similar loss (how to make steel?) would precede a marked change in our present day choices to build high rise buildings.

Idea.
A new medium is going on sale this year:  Transparent concrete.  And I can imagine some expensive and innovative means to use this stuff.  Would you like to see a transparent bridge, for example?  Or could a similar technique be made for large slabs used for windows?  What would the addition of moldable yet transluscent concrete mean for the architect? 

Comments

[fairyhedgehog]

That's amazing.

[bets]

So this is when I say screw artistic and technological advancement. People are starving in the world, for crissake, and some fool(s) wasted brain cells on coming up with this?

[Jennifer Hudson Taylor]

Interesting post.

[laughingwolf]

oooooo requires some heavy ponderings...

[writtenwyrdd]

while you have a legitimate point, Bets, the same could be said of us, wasting time writing.

Although capitalist desire to make money is at the base of many research projects, I maintain there is value in research. Who knows what valuable insight might come from this avenue of research that will benefit the world? Pure research for research's sake nets a lot of wonderful ideas, technology and understanding that can benefit all of mankind.

[jjdebenedictis]

"Would you like to see a transparent bridge, for example?"

If it was like the picture? Probably could handle it. If improvements in technology make it completely *clear*, however? NO WAY.

If you go to the CN Tower in Toronto, they have a patch of glass floor. And it is hellishly hard to make yourself step out onto that piece of glass. It doesn't matter that your conscious mind knows you're safe from that multi-story drop; there's a monkey in your hind-brain screaming in terror.

[writtenwyrdd]

I get vertigo with heights, so I know what you are talking about. Try looking up the skywalk at the Grand Canyon. I couldn't make myself go on that.

[Scott from Oregon]

I say way cool.

Think of the cost savings in lighting for parking garages, lower floors, etc...

I like to build with concrete. Imagine a concrete bath enclosure out of this stuff...

[writtenwyrdd]

I was thinking the same thing about having a bath that had translucent walls. And if you could mold this stuff in place rather than build it prefab, you could do basement walls (the above ground part) out of it, too. Which would render them a lot brighter. Or prison cells. A strip a couple feet high at the top of the cell would allow light to filter through.

[bets]

I don't know that the same can be said of writing or artistic pursuits. I think such pursuits do improve the human condition on a lot of levels, whether its exploring the existence of God or extraterrestrials (higher level) or a journalist bringing attention, and thereby money and goods, to famine and injustice in the world (base level).

I'm no scientist, but I fail to see what True Good can come from see-thru concrete.

It would, though, make a kick-ass bunker in a sci-fi book. :)

[Kathy]

I looked at the original article (written in 2004!), and a commenter said the translucent concrete was half as strong as regular concrete.

I don't think you'd be seeing many bridges made out of this material in the near future.

[writtenwyrdd]

Yeah, I figured there'd be a loss of structural strength due to the foreign materials, and also the things that make concrete strong, such as reinforcement and prestressed, precast panels specifically designed for a load, are neither of them really suitable for being transparent and good looking at the same time.

Oh well. The idea is still cool. I'm waiting for transparent aluminum, myself. (nod to Mr. Scott there.)