In its Vertical City concept, Italian firm Luca Curci Architects seeks to redefine the role of a contemporary skyscraper. 

Blurring the boundaries between society and nature, the structure encourages residents to connect with the environment by exposing the building to the elements with open, hexagonal voids throughout. The cutouts allow natural light and air to permeate the building. Large green spaces and gardens are nestled throughout the building and climb to a public rooftop garden. 

The energy-independent tower will be constructed with 10 overlapping modular layers that sustain each floor and will be powered by a membrane of photovoltaic glass that will deliver electricity to the entire building. 

Vertical City

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Italian firm Luca Curci Architects proposes designs for a partly submerged, pre-fabricated tower to serve as zero-energy city in the Middle East. 

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The 180-story, 2,460-foot-tall skyscraper will be able to house 25,000 residents in its apartment, duplex, or villa suites. The floors wrap around almost 400 feet of empty space that create a vertical atrium in the center of the tower. 

An underwater bridge connects pedestrians and cars on the mainland with the submerged, circular basement on which the Vertical City is set, but those who wish to travel by air can access the helipad at the top of the tower. In addition to residences, the Vertical City will include offices and retail space, and the submerged floors will feature amenities such as spas, meditation centers, gyms, and a luxury hotel with underwater views.