There aren’t many things more alarming that an upright cobra ready to strike. A tower shaped like a cobra, therefore, will command a skyline.
Russian architect Vasily Klyukin released renderings for the Asian Cobra Tower, a metallic high-rise that takes the shape of the hooded venomous snake.
Though specific plans for the tower—square footage, location, construction timetable—are unknown, Klyukin and his firm said that the building could have a restaurant or night club in the cobra’s mouth, at top of the structure, and that the rest of the floors could contain offices or apartments.
Since snakes can change their skin, the Cobra Tower would be able to alter its colors, illuminating both red and blue.
“In Japan, telling someone that he is a snake means a compliment,” Klyukin said in a statement. “In China, snakes and dragons often mean the same. The symbol of wisdom and eternal life, this tower would embellish any Eastern city.”
Klyukin is a bit of an eccentric. He’s also a wealthy real estate developer, poker player, and art philanthropist. In 2013, he bid $1.5 million to take a trip to outer space with Leonardo DiCaprio.
As for the tower, no word yet if any rival firms are planning a nearby skyscraper shaped like a mongoose.
(click photos to enlarge)
Related Stories
| Feb 17, 2013
Pakistan to get world's tallest tower in $45 billion deal
Newly signed mega deal will fund construction of several massive developments in Karachi, including a mixed-use tower that will dwarf the Burj Khalifa.
| Feb 13, 2013
'Vegetative tower' apartments to revive NYC site
A Manhattan site formerly slated for development with a "tower of cubes"—a now-defunct project by Santiago Calatrava—will be revived with a 998-foot, 300,000-sf apartment building by Morali Architects.
| Jul 9, 2012
Modular Construction Delivers Model for New York Housing in Record Time
A 65-unit supportive housing facility in Brooklyn, N.Y., was completed in record time using modular construction with six stories set in just 12 days.
| Jul 2, 2012
San Francisco lays claim to the greenest building in North America
The 13-floor building can hold around 900 people, but consumes 60% less water and 32% less energy than most buildings of its kind.
| Jun 13, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti founding principals receive CTBUH Fazlur R. Khan Lifetime Achievement Medal
This is the first time the CTBUH Board of Trustees has awarded the prize to two individuals jointly.
| Jun 8, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti/Fore Solutions provides consulting for renovation at Tufts School of Dental Medicine
Project receives LEED Gold certification.
| Jun 6, 2012
KPF designs tower for Yongsan IBD
The master plan, created by Studio Daniel Libeskind, is a dynamic urban environment containing contributions from 19 different architects practicing in diverse locations around the globe.
| Jun 6, 2012
SOM urges Chicago tenants to partner with landlords to cut energy use
Tenants can exceed building energy challenge targets recently announced by Mayor Emanuel.
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| May 29, 2012
Reconstruction Awards Entry Information
Download a PDF of the Entry Information at the bottom of this page.
