Yesterday, a story about a project to build a massive artificial waterfall in Rio made its rounds on the blogs (I found it via The Good Blood, via Treehugger). Swiss architecture firm RAFAA entered the project in the International Architecture Competition for the 2016 Olympics by proposing the construction of a solar panel operated artificial waterfall on one of the small islands off the coast of the city, right off the tip of the Leme neighborhood.
The structure, called the Solar City Tower, runs on solar power, pumping ocean water into the cascade over the island. Besides providing clean energy, the building would have observation decks, shops, dining, an amphitheater, and a bungee-jumping deck. The idea seems to be to make it both an environmental landmark as well as a tourist attraction.
I looked around to see if I could find any other entries for the competition, but this was all I could find. While I think it's a wonderful idea to strive to be the first zero-carbon games (good luck with that, by the way), it seems a little wacky. And despite the intent on creating something semi natural, Rio's beauty lies in its real natural wonders, and this thing just looks weird.
A better idea might be to get working on the World Cup venues, which are due sooner and are apparently behind schedule. There's no reason solar energy can't come into play there, too, even if it's not as flashy.
I read about this "waterfall" and I agree that its a great idea, but you hit the nail on the head - "Rio's beauty lies in its real natural wonders". I think it interrupts the beauty of nature sticking out there like that. Personally I think the extra funds used to have a zero-carbon games (yeah right) might be better spent alleviating some of the problems that made last month's rains so deadly.
Ryan Whitmore
www.brazilbeacon.com
Posted by: Ryan Whitmore | May 04, 2010 at 12:58 PM
Yeah, that is a nice idea in theory, but I agree with you that the reality of how it would change the natural beauty of the views would be jarring.
Someone was seriously high when they thought THAT one up.
Posted by: Ashley, the Accidental Olympian | May 04, 2010 at 02:57 PM
Parabéns pelo blog Gringa, legal o olhar de algúem de fora!!! Quanto ao waterfall, YES it looks weird, mas é acima de tudo uma afronta ao carioca e ao povo brasileiro que em sua maioria, vive em estado de plena miséria. Afinal isso é bem típico do nosso país, muita preocupação com o turista e ignoram o bem estar de quem vive aqui.
Posted by: Gisa | May 04, 2010 at 06:09 PM
wow, it does look weird. like a monolith-esque 2001 space odyssey thing. but, if they do build it, i'm definitely going to go see it :)
Posted by: mallory elise | May 04, 2010 at 06:25 PM