ROUND THE BEND
Crazy plan for world’s longest skyscraper ‘Big Bend’ – and there is a very good reason for its odd U-shape
The planned skyscraper is set to dominate the New York skyline
CRAZY plans for the longest skyscraper have been revealed and show an odd-looking U-shaped building that would overcome the "limit of the skies".
The proposed "Big Bend" in Manhattan, New York, plans to become the longest building in the world at a staggering 4,000ft in one continuous upside down U.
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The bizarre shaped building has been designed this way to find a clever cost solution to strict planning laws.
The taller the skyscraper is the more expensive it is, so curving it is provides a unique loophole.
Real-estate companies are capitalising on a planning law that allows them to buy from neighbouring buildings.
By implementing a curve design, the building can occupy more space in the sky without paying more for height.
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If the tower wasn't curved, it would make it much harder to get approved.
This also allows them to build taller and taller towers on small plots, saving money.
This vision would make the audacious building 1,000ft longer than the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the current tallest tower in the world.
The dazzling concept would see the building curve mid-air and come back down, revolutionising the world of skyscrapers.
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The building design boasts a futuristic-looking grid of windows on both sides.
Even crazier, the lifts can travel in curves, horizontally and in continuous loops.
The building, if completed, would stand 200 feet taller than One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower, the current tallest building in New York City.
US architectural studio Oiio came up with the bold design for the conceptual skyscraper.
Designer Ioannis Oikonomou said: "There are many different ways that can make a building stand out, but in order to do so the building has to literally stand out.
"If we manage to bend our structure instead of bending the zoning rules of New York we would be able to create one of the most prestigious buildings in Manhattan.
"The Big Bend can become a modest architectural solution to the height limitations of Manhattan."
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Oiio echoed the desire to stand out, stating: "There's an obsession that resides in Manhattan.
"It is undeniable because it is made to be seen."
Despite the proposed innovation, the Big Bend has drawn criticism for its size and scope of the project.
According to , external, some of New York's biggest architects have spoken out against the number of super-tall skyscrapers in the city.
The site said: "[Architect] Steven Holl said the buildings symbolise inequality in architectural form, while Liz Diller said that the city is at risk of being "consumed by the dollar".
"Locals have also voiced concerns about the towers, complaining that they will overshadow Central Park."
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Architectural Digest ran images of the structure with a headline that read: "This Skyscraper Could Ruin New York's Skyline."
Oiio, according to reports, is eyeing "Billionaire's Row" to the south of Central Park as the location for his unique design.
Top 10 tallest buildings in the world
1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai - 2,717ft
2. Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia - 2,227ft
3. Shanghai Tower, Shanghai - 2,073ft
4. Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower, Saudi Arabia - 1,972ft
5. Ping An International Finance Centre, Shenzhen - 1,966ft
6. Lotte World Tower, Seoul - 1,819ft
7. One World Trade Center, New York - 1,776ft
8. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou - 1740ft
8. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin - 1,740ft
10. China Zun, Beijing - 1,731ft
Oiio have also spoken of the zoning laws in New York that they have had to work around.
They continued: "We usually learn about the latest tallest building and we are always impressed by it's price per square foot.
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"It seems that a property's height operates as a licence for it to be expensive.
"New York city's zoning laws have created a peculiar set of tricks which developers try to maximize their property's height in order to infuse it with the prestige of a high rise structure."
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