1,000-foot glass funnel could save London's Battersea Power Station

The Battersea Power Station in London has been defunct since 1983, and urban developers have been scratching their heads to come up with a way to preserve the largest brick structure in all of Europe. Some wily Irish developers have come up with a way to turn the empty building into what they're calling a "solar driven natural ventilation system" attached to shopping malls, 3,000 homes, and a boutique hotel. The 1,000-foot glass tower would use a funnel structure to force heat out of the complex using convection all the while providing a striking addition to the London skyline. All in all, developers say this would make the complex carbon neutral. If the plan goes through, the structure could be completed as soon as 2019.

[chainofcommand02 @ Jun 22nd 2008 11:44AM]

But wouldn't the giant inflatable pig get caught on a 1000 foot glass tower?

[peshue @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:56PM]

Congratulations sir you just won the internet for the day.

[fishcake @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:58PM]

roger waters would bring it down with his sniper rifle

[chainofcommand02 @ Jun 22nd 2008 3:19PM]

Thank you for the internet, though I must admit "Animals" was pretty weak.

[fishcake @ Jun 22nd 2008 3:50PM]

you're wrong

[chainofcommand02 @ Jun 22nd 2008 3:57PM]

What're you talking about? Of all of Roger Waters led Pink Floyd albums, Animals was definitely the worst.

[shaun @ Jun 22nd 2008 11:57AM]

Not strictly true, they do gigs in there

[shaun @ Jun 22nd 2008 11:58AM]

Sorry I didn't finish that, I meant not strictly true that it's derelict

[naz @ Jun 22nd 2008 1:26PM]

Something cool that isn't being built in Dubai....lol

[Danakin @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:21PM]

yeah, and "the structure could be completed as soon as 2019." Heck, Dubai would have it done in 6 months!

[Richard Lai @ Jun 22nd 2008 3:46PM]

@Danakin: by British standards, that is quite quick. I'd be more interested in seeing whether Boris manages to get a second term or not by then.

[d4rk_b@dg3r @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:17AM]

Unfortunately slave labour is no longer allowed in the UK (JFGI about the rights of the "labourers" in Dubai).


Although those working at Maccy D's may have something to say on the matter.

[Karl Viklund @ Jun 22nd 2008 1:29PM]

No Comments.

[MARSHAK @ Jun 22nd 2008 5:09PM]

nice beard :)

[Caleb @ Jun 22nd 2008 8:30PM]

Bodacious facial hair dude!

[Jon Doe. @ Jun 22nd 2008 1:31PM]

Now Star Wars fans from around the world will make the journey to see the 1000 foot high lightsaber. :-P

[Ghen @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:53PM]

... slash bong

[Ian @ Jun 22nd 2008 11:45PM]

you mean MY 1000 ft lightsaber?

[engadgetier @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:03PM]

NO, its my lightsaber!

[jakem @ Jun 22nd 2008 1:38PM]

I believe Boris plans to veto this precisely because of its impact on London's skyline. I have to say I agree with him. I like the idea and I don't necessarily mind the design but I don't think London needs any more tall structures.

[r3loaded @ Jun 22nd 2008 1:49PM]

London doesn't have any tall structures to speak of, if you compare it to other North American and Asian cities. 1000ft barely counts as a skyscraper.

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:24PM]

There are only 32 buildings in the world taller than 1,000ft.

How can you say 1,000ft barely counts as a skyscraper? If that's the case, then few cities have any skyscrapers.

I don't really see why London needs a structure this tall.

This wouldn't count as a building, because it isn't fully habitable. It's a structure, like the CN Tower.

[jakem @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:47PM]

@r3loaded - that's precisely why I don't think this should be built. I'd prefer London's current skyline to be maintained and the Battersea end of town currrently has fewer tall buildings. I'm sure there are other ways to make this development carbon neutral without having to erect such a tall structure.

[TomWBrowning @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:59PM]

Nimby. Sod off and let the world progress a little.

[jakem @ Jun 22nd 2008 5:23PM]

I'm sorry you feel that way. I don't think this is nimbyism (I don't live in that part of London any more) and I'm not opposed to progress. I just don't think it's necessary for the architect to stick a great big structure that dwarfs the power station and imposes it on the skyline to achieve their environmental goals. If you look at the size of the proposed development they have more than enough horizontal space with which to work to make the development carbon neutral and a clever architect would take advantage of the large vertical areas that are exposed to the river for ventilation..

I also disagree that it is progress to turn London into a carbon copy of all the other dull cities around the world that are overshadowed by the same boring skyscrapers. This has nothing to do with being a nimby, it's about keeping London unique.

[Benson @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:08PM]

Yes, because all the other dull cities in the world have glass funnels...

[aahatimy @ Jun 22nd 2008 7:03PM]

As a Londoner who's lived here nearly all my life I'd love it if we'd had more tall structures but obviously in the areas where they already are such as The City and Isle of Dogs. Those two areas give a nice view from Muswell Hill.

[Mike C @ Jun 22nd 2008 8:43PM]

So if you really think building out over up is a good idea, I suggest you take a nice visit to Los Angeles. . .

[r3loaded @ Jun 23rd 2008 7:43AM]

Mike C just owned this thread.

[KEROLiUKAS @ Jun 22nd 2008 1:42PM]

Giant heatink.

[andres @ Jun 22nd 2008 8:33PM]

now they can overclock the buildings

[RedBull Runner @ Jun 22nd 2008 9:52PM]

now, if they could put a few large turbines in it, all that rising hot air could theoretically be used to generate electricity.

I think they are planning something like this in australia, large funnel, with turbines in the neck, and a few tens of square miles of greenhouses all connected and using convection to generate power.

[nakedmac @ Jun 22nd 2008 1:50PM]

I'm either surprised or delighted that no one has so far mentioned the prospects of taking a hit off of a 1,000-foot bong.

[Ryan @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:33PM]

you just did

[spoon @ Jun 24th 2008 12:20AM]

This was the first thing I thought of.

[engadgetier @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:05PM]

Family: "so, where do u live"

engadgetier: "I live in a 1,000 ft bong, u cant miss it"

priceless.......

[Kurian @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:03PM]

2019?? Wait, does that mean the photo above is CGI ??
Doesn't matter, the final print with the inflatable pig was superimposed as well.

[Gavin @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:03PM]

How the hell would you clean the glass?
Looks like a giant test tube!

[andrei @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:09PM]

welcome to City 17, have a nice day

[toxicpiano @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:30PM]

That made my day, thanks :D

[Jesse S @ Jun 22nd 2008 7:27PM]

It's scary how true that is.

[Charlie Taylor @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:24PM]

Hm, wasn't that the Cyberman factory in the second season of the new Doctor who?

[naz @ Jun 24th 2008 10:23AM]

yer it is, the roof was the setting for the giant Cybus Industries Zeppelin that they cg'ed on to it.

[A1 @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:29PM]

At first I thought that was the citadel from HL2.

Oh well. I can dream.

[Yevon @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:32PM]

That thing is SUCH an iPhone 2 ripoff.

(end sarcasm)

[derX @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:43PM]

OMG, I'm so tired of this. Just because it has a glass front and has no physical buttons does not mean it's an iPhone ripoff.

[Yevon @ Jun 22nd 2008 7:03PM]

Jeeze, I said "end sarcasm". Last time I equate buildings to electronics...

[derX @ Jun 22nd 2008 8:27PM]

Clearly I, along with other Engadgeteers, am able to read English as evidenced by my replying to your comment.

You were low ranked because your comment wasn't funny. But I'd agree, do not equate the two again....unless you're sure you've got good materal.

[sany @ Jun 29th 2008 8:19AM]

I've always thought people who use 'end sarcasm', or the likes just don't know what sarcasm really is...

thus the need to point it out...

[Stem $ell @ Jun 22nd 2008 2:38PM]

If it sucks, then it's doin' its job!