Green Finalists from the 2010 eVolo Skyscraper Competition Unveiled!

<br> Wait! There's more amazing entries from the <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/08/water-purification-skyscraper-purifies-jakarta-rivers/" target="_blank">2010 eVolo Skyscraper Competition</a>! EVolo has just unveiled its <a href="http://www.evolo.us/category/news/" target="_blank">ten finalists</a>, and each has a heavy slant towards the green side with eco design elements, mixed-use buildings and lots of green space. The architects and designers took a hard look at the world of tomorrow and created <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/09/tower-city-is-an-ecotopia-stacked-upon-stilts/" target="_blank">eco skyscrapers</a> applicable for a changing future. Although these ten designs didn't make it into the top tier, they still showcases some incredible concepts and are really fun to look at. Read on for our overview of each of the ten finalists!

<a href="http://www.evolo.us/architecture/green-ribbon-skyscraper-in-paris/"><h3>Paris Green Ribbon by Meurisse Frederic &amp; Huyghe Lieselotte</h3></a> <br> The Green Ribbon is a flowing path of parks and recreational areas that aim to connect the Vincennes and the Boulogne forests in <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/02/23/lost-in-paris-house-by-r-and-sie-architects/">Paris</a>. A series of skyscrapers are placed along that path to provide programs for the city, like museums, restaurants, or even housing. Constructed from a triangular steel network, plants and vegetation fill some of the voids, while others remain open.

<h3><a href="http://www.evolo.us/architecture/earthscraper-in-mexico-city/">Mexico City Earthscraper</a> by <a href="http://www.bunkerarquitectura.com/">Bunker Arquitectura</a></h3> The <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/01/22/container-city-in-mexico-is-entertainment-hot-spot/" target="_blank">Mexico City</a> Earthscraper was inspired by the historic growth and development of the city, with each new layer built on top of another. Rather than a skyscraper, this earthscraper dives 35 stories deep into the earth in order to preserve the top layer of historic buildings in the main plaza, which cannot be altered due to federal law. The central courtyard would be converted to glass, which would filter light down through a central void to bring in <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/19/jordans-energy-efficient-queen-alia-airport-by-foster-partners/" target="_blank">natural light and ventilation</a>.

<h3><a href="http://www.evolo.us/architecture/ljubljana-skyscraper/">Ljubljana</a> by Tomislav Maslovaric</h3> <br> Ljubljana is another project designed to preserve a historic center plaza -- this time in <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/11/25/rolling-green-roofed-sports-park-in-slovenia/">Slovenia</a>. The exterior of the 28-story building is half covered in vegetation, which presents a interesting contrast to the medieval city, while the other side is completely glass allowing for grand views of the city. The bottom three floors offer commercial space, while the remaining levels provide natural <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/03/stunning-green-roofed-apartment-building-rises-in-amsterdam/" target="_blank">daylight-filled housing</a>.

<h3><a href="http://www.evolo.us/architecture/genetically-modified-skyscraper/">Genetically Modified</a> by Aaron Olko</h3> <br> The futuristic Genetically Modified Skyscraper is built from a <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/02/02/gmo-tomatoes-could-stay-fresh-for-over-a-month/">genetically modified</a> vine through a collaboration between an architect and a geneticist. The architect decides on the form and necessities of the structure, while the geneticist manipulates the code in order to grow it. The organic skyscraper is built entirely from plant matter and delves into morals and the extent of our capabilities.

<h3><a href="http://www.evolo.us/architecture/meta-tower-in-france/">France Meta-Tower</a> by Karim Hassayoune, Aude Morgenthaler</h3> <br> The Meta-Tower is a flexible and adaptable structure that grows based on the needs of the current times. As the years progress, architects add new levels according to current economic, social, and cultural conditions. If more housing is needed, a layer or more of apartments is built. If business is booming, more get added offices, and etc. The end result is a <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/07/16/axis-mundi-unveils-alternative-design-for-moma-tower/">bit of a collage</a>, but an interesting concept to remain flexible through changing times.

<h3><a href="http://www.evolo.us/architecture/flying-planes-skyscraper-in-paris/">Paris Flying Planes</a> by Kevin Hemeryck</h3> The Flying Planame ("Paris" in French slang) proposes a series of structures built with <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/03/green-roofed-hillside-homes-blend-into-their-environs/">multiple layers of green space</a> in order to provide more open space in the city. Outdoor areas will be maximized, while the structure will be used for commerce and housing. The flying planes will be filled with gardens, trees and even room for growing food.

<h3><a href="http://www.evolo.us/architecture/maldives-skyscraper-floating-states/">Maldives Floating States</a> by William Fong, Joshua Loke, Livee Tan</h3> <br> As glaciers melt and the world's oceans rise, the <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/05/maldives-to-fight-rising-sea-levels-with-floating-islands/">Maldives will sink below sea leve.</a> In response to this one team has designed a floating ecopolis to provide a place for the displaced country. The Floating States of Maldives is a series of floating islands that are proposed to supplement land that is lost. The tower island would rise 1000 meters tall with housing, schools, commercial and office space, while the keel will dive 1000 meters into the water to create an <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/09/underwater-skyscraper-is-a-self-sufficient-city-at-sea/">underwater skyscraper</a> as well.

<h3><a href="http://www.evolo.us/architecture/euromediterranee-skyscraper/">Internationals System</a> by Stéphanie Durniak, Baptiste Franceschi, Anthony Frutoso, Caroline Mangin</h3> <br> The Euroméditerranée is a <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/09/tower-city-is-an-ecotopia-stacked-upon-stilts/">vertical village</a> for the city of Marseilles that combines the ten villages that make up the city. This project will have housing, offices, commerce, and recreational areas, as well as gardens and parks that will be incorporated as public terraces between the different sections of the tower. These public terraces will serve as meeting places for the community.

<h3><a href="http://www.evolo.us/architecture/contingency-ark/">Contingency Ark</a> by Andrew Brorson</h3> <br> Assuming that the West Antarctic ice shelf melts, a number of cities around the world will be underwater, including Miami. The Contingency Ark is a skyscraper designed to withstand the rising sea levels that can be built in the water. Constructed from a steel lattice structure, the skyscraper features slots that <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/24/keg-apartments-reinvision-liquid-container-trucks-as-mobile-houses/">mobile homes</a> can be plugged into. As water levels rise the homes can be elevated to a higher level if necessary, or even moved to a different tower or city.

<h3><a href="http://www.evolo.us/architecture/international-system-skyscraper/">Internationals System</a> by <a href="http://www.visionincluded.com/blog/">Vision Included</a></h3> <br> Designed for the city of Almere in the Netherlands, this skyscraper design is probably the least green of all, but still interesting as a concept. The building combines multiple functions, like government, housing, commercial, schools, etc into one structure, but each retains it's own place and is designed specifically to suit its needs.