How Life Will Look Like In 2050

Saudi Arabia has unveiled its mammoth cube-shaped city, a sprawling mega-project that is equivalent in size to 20 Empire State Buildings. This futuristic city features racetracks for flying cars and immersive experiences that transport visitors to other planets. In Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, autonomous cars are no longer a distant concept. Plans are already in motion to construct a massive sea within the city, complete with racetracks for flying cars and immersive experiences that simulate visits to other planets or worlds where buildings are dwarfed by towering structures.

This ambitious project, known as the MUcab, derived its name from the Arabic word for "cube." Serving as the centerpiece of the Muraba project, which aims to expand the capital and accommodate around 350,000 residents across an area of 4,695 acres, the MUcab will soar to a height of 1,312 feet.

It will offer a blend of residential spaces, hotels, offices, and open-air parks and walkways. Inside, holographic projections, like the giant-sized people depicted above, will create an immersive and futuristic atmosphere.

Dubai Healthcare City, designed by Kalba Design Studio and Kelbet Studio, embraces a forward-thinking approach to creating a versatile complex focused on medical services. The design incorporates elements of digital innovation and sustainable architecture, taking into account the geographic and social conditions of the region, as well as the future needs of Dubai.

The island can be accessed through underwater transportation systems, including monorails and electric cars, with various stations strategically placed for easy access. The entrance to the island is underground, ensuring a pedestrian-friendly environment and prohibiting car access. The site plan, shaped like a crescent, symbolizes the architectural style of Dubai and takes inspiration from the Burj Al Arab and Islamic design elements, such as the lunar month. The grid design for the site incorporates a blend of parametric forms and Islamic geometry patterns at higher levels. Additionally, Skyports recently revealed an innovative modular vertaport design by Contreras Rural Architecture, which can be deployed globally.

Skyports aims to establish a network of air taxi terminals worldwide and has opened its property partner database to accept registrations from potential vertaport locations. The design was developed in collaboration with Arup and To 70 Aviation. In other architectural news, Ababoo Studio has envisioned a self-sufficient city on Mars called Nua, which could potentially be built in 2054.

The architect behind the project discusses the design of a cliffside settlement on Mars. The project, commissioned by the non-profit organization the Mars Society, aims to create the first permanent residence on the planet. The vertical settlement, capable of housing up to 250,000 people, will be built into the side of a cliff using locally available materials. Alfredo Munoz, the founder of Ababoo, believes that constructing a large-scale, permanent habitat on Mars is achievable within this century. He also suggests that Mars may hold more potential for colonization than the moon due to its availability of resources.

However, Munoz notes that creating self-sustaining habitats on the moon would be challenging due to the lack of water and essential minerals. In contrast, Mars provides the necessary resources for establishing a fully sustainable settlement. In a separate development, Mediverse has launched a virtual communication hub in the metaverse, which has sparked worldwide interest and opened up new possibilities for exhibitions.

A metaverse exhibition refers to an event or showcase that occurs within a virtual reality space combining elements of the physical and digital realms. Participants can explore, interact with, and experience various exhibits and displays in a digital environment. These virtual exhibits can feature artwork, products, multimedia presentations, virtual installations, interactive experiences, and more. They can either replicate physical objects or showcase entirely digital creations.

Zaha Hadid Architects and Arch Agenda, based in Chicago, recently introduced Metrotopia on June 6, 2023. This unique metaverse venture aims to become the central virtual communication hub for the global design community.

Introducing the Iconic Villa, a cutting-edge concept by Zubaida Imad. With a total area of 2,000 square meters, this futuristic villa revolutionizes the way we live. Imagine a world where transportation is done through planes and hovercrafts, and the location of this villa is the last remaining vestige of this futuristic era. Designed to be accessible by planes and hovercrafts, the villa captures the essence of a time when life will be drastically different.

In the year 300, driving cars will be a thing of the past. Instead, hovercrafts, time machines, and teleportation systems will be the norm. Futurism, a modern design trend characterized by dynamic lines and a monochromatic aesthetic, will define the architecture of Dubai in 2030. Gone are the days of sandstorms and dust. Calbert Studio presents its innovative solution: sandstorm absorbent skyscrapers. If you've ever experienced sandstorms in Dubai or any other city in the UAE, particularly during spring and summer, you are familiar with the tropical desert climate and its massive sandstorms.

These natural phenomena disrupt the city's rhythm, sometimes even bringing it to a standstill. Additionally, sandstorms are known to cause respiratory problems and pollute the air and water, posing a threat to the environment. However, Dubai is renowned for its love of creativity and functional ideas, and designing skyscrapers is a popular architectural pursuit in the city. Therefore, Calbert Architecture Studio took on the challenge of addressing the sandstorm issue in Dubai by combining innovation and technology.

By studying the behavior of desert lands, we aimed to develop a solution that integrates creativity and functionality, ensuring a sustainable and harmonious environment.

Verana Hotel in Tulum, Mexico, was designed by architects Porter Newman and Pac te Tulum. The architects drew inspiration from Hindu mythology, particularly the god Varina, who represents water and rain. Varina's presence is crucial in maintaining the natural balance of the universe. The hotel, spread across a 6.5-hectare property facing the beach, effortlessly blends nature and architecture.

The lush jungle vegetation seamlessly integrates with the buildings and common areas, giving life to the entire project. The houses, designed in various styles, are thoughtfully arranged to appear as if they are part of the natural landscape. The amenities, including a gym, yoga room, spa, bar, lounge, business center, and conference room, offer spaces for reflection, learning, and spiritual well-being. Moving on to Qatar, Oma and Borough Apple have revealed their vision for the future of hospitals with their design for the Aldan health district in Doha.

Led by Renu de Graf, the project explores the possibilities of modularity, prefabrication, and automation in response to the rapid advancements in medical science. The health district, spanning an untouched 1.3 million square meters between Qatar University and the new Lucille City, prioritizes accessibility to essential services.

Oma's design features cross-shaped modular units that are prefabricated on-site, ensuring sustainability and cost-effectiveness. The health district will source food and medicinal plants from a local high-tech farm, while a solar farm will provide sufficient energy for autonomous operation.

ER presents Lunar, a groundbreaking symbol of the data-driven era, located in Shenzhen's Chin Hai Bay. Lunar Snowhead, designed for the international competition of the Chin Hai New City Center, stands as a landmark that embodies the pioneering spirit of Changi City.

It pays homage to both the city's maritime heritage and its technological future. Lunar signifies the remnants of a vessel that transmits data to the world, serving as a representation of its time and era. The architectural project, Periscope Reality Displacement, created by Clearhoud Van Beervliet Architects, explores the concept of using space as an enhancer and energy storage device.

This captivating artwork seamlessly merges enhanced living spaces with energy storage, showcasing the ingenuity of architects Severe Clarehold, engineer architect Barbara Van Beerley, and artist Adrian Clerhoud. Another architectural masterpiece, the ZN International Football Stadium, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, boasts a striking saddle-shaped structure with fluid geometries.

This 60,000-seat stadium will be the venue for the 2023 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup, along with hosting various domestic leagues, cultural events, and youth training academies. Finally, the state of Penang in Malaysia will soon be home to a floating bio city, envisioned by BIG in collaboration with Hedges and Bramble. This sustainable city, designed with eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient practices, won the government's competition.

Comprising three artificial agglomerates, each centered around an aquatic plaza, this archipelago city named Biodiversity aims to maintain the natural morphology of the land while expanding on the sea. With distinct districts dedicated to technology, business, and residential areas, Biodiversity is a testament to environmental preservation and inclusivity.