Moscow’s rapidly growing skyline will soon feature an eye-popping new addition: Crystal Island, which will be the world’s biggest building when completed. Sir Norman Foster’s mountainous 27 million square feet spiraling “city within a building” will cost $4 billion and it is scheduled to be built within next 5 years.
The Crystal Island will be Lord Foster’s second large scale project in the Russian capital, and his third new building design that resembles a volcano (we’re talking about his two mountainous buildings in Astana, Kazakstan). Although many people are calling this design the ‘Christmas Tree’ of Moscow – we can’t help but be reminded of the utopian and also rather volcanic X-Seed 4000 design for Tokyo. Unlike that pipe-dream project, however, Foster has a track record of getting buildings built, so the likelihood is high that we will see this striking structure towering over the Kremlin within 5 years time.
The statistics for the project are absolutely staggering; floor area alone will be four times the size of Pentagon in Washington DC. The incredible 1500 ft. tall multi use structure will feature 900 apartments, 3000 hotel rooms, an international school for 500 students, cinemas, a theater, sports complex and much more. There will also be a 16,500 space underground parking lot for all the visitors. The Crystal Island visitors will be able to enjoy panoramic views of Moscow on the viewing platforms located 980 ft. above ground.
And as we’d expect from Foster + Partners, this soon-to-be world’s biggest building will also incorporate a number of sustainable design features into the overall scheme. The exterior facade will be solar responsive and will include solar panels which, along with wind turbines, will generate electricity for the huge tower. Natural ventilation will be provided thanks to numerous strategically placed large atriums. The internal environment will also have dynamic enclosure panels slotted into the structural framing that will allow daylight to penetrate deep into the heart of the structure; the panels will also be controlled to modify temperature inside the building – closed in winter for extra warmth and opened in summer to allow natural ventilation. Energy management is at the heart of this structure, several on-site renewable and low-carbon energy generation projects are planned.
+ Crystal Island – by Norman Foster
+ X-Seed 400 — City Within a Building Proposal For Tokyo
+ Foster Green Tower in Siberia
Via Skyscrapernews.com via Times Online: Foster plans world’s biggest building
Images via SkycraperCity.
Has megalomania anything to do with more sustainable future? We here in Moscow are devastated due to destruction of our native city by building monster houses like this. This makes the quality of life and the city landscape disastrous.
Yeah, I’m sure that building expensive and luxurious skyscrapers is really killing the quality of life.
btc: what quality? Moscow’s a hellhole. This is a vast improvement.
I would be surprised if this project actually gets completed, but if it did, I think it would Russia at the fore front of a new wave of city design.
Don’t blame the architect. It is the local government that is allowing such a thing to be built. Unfortunately they fail to see that that the long-term adaptability of such a building is limited. What happens when the structure gets old and needs servicing, its not like you can demolish “part” of the building. The city leaders fell prey to Foster’s sales pitch.
Have to agree with btc; don’t know a graet deal about the new Russsia, but I am always humbled by the turn-of-the-century architechture of pre-revolution Russia. Can’t some sort of compromise be found that strikes a suitable balance and will remind Russians of a tradition-rich history?
Sounds great, but can they really built it in 5 years? Where are they getting all the materials and labors from??
Monster projects like these usually over budget and delay.
Great design for a building.
I think this kind of buildings may be a solution for cities with a very high cost of leaving, like it is the case in Moscow.
Its not as bad as the phallic structures being built in Dubai. At least this has some delicacy and beauty in the shape — sort of like an upside-down flower.
Never blame an architect though he only wants to make money out of this, that’s obvious. As for the project as a whole, I think it’s a disastrous step and there is no need to spend money whilst you could either contribute developing technology and invest in space science. But in the end, it’s only me. Thanks.
In one of the photos you see the example of the “historic” lego design that people might be worried about losing. Screw that, good job Russia, build 2.
Russia is now a force to reckon with. This building is Russia’s testament to its new greatness.
frigging ugly – it will be dozed in 20 years because of maintenence !!!!!!!!
building higher is the way human society tends to show off their power …
at least thats what they used to do historically speaking …
And i think this building will do russia some good …
also … don’t you think Dubai or someone else will be building crystal island on steroids … which will be twice as big as this one … ???
hehe …
The Mayor of Moscow (1st left) doesn’t look too happy…
Uh – the Pentagon isn’t in Washington, DC. It’s in Arlington, VA.
It’s amazing structure, will become a landmark . Great Design.
It’s beautiful and ambitious BUT this project will NEVER be completed.. Way too much corruption in moscow for this to happen and that will certainly not change in 5 years.. Keep dreaming guys..
The first thought that came to mind was “Welcome to Carousel!”.
In Soviet Russia, huge skyscraper builds you!
Its starting to feel like our world has caught small man syndrome. everyone knows how it goes – the bigger the truck.. the smaller the _____
It’s the world’s largest gated community. A combined celebration of megalomania, old-school political one-upmanship (phallus waving). It’s a sad testimony to the failure of Russian society to deal with the yawning chasm between rich and poor and the massive scale of social inequity. Simple “solution”, build a bubble to live in, keep the rest out. It didn’t work to well in Tsarist times, I am pretty sure it won’t now. Not to mention the appalling mis-allocation of resources in a time when so much is in serious need of being rebuilt. Just a few gut reactions…..
What I’m really impressed with are the trees.
Brilliant idea. And when the sarcopghagus falls apart at chernobyl and it rains radioactive ash down on your asses cause you dont want to spend the 4 billion on that just don’t come crying to the USA. (even though you will anyway)
Actually, it’s about middle-of-the-road for a large gated community, which is scary considering its ENTIRELY ENCLOSED!
World’s biggest ghetto in 15 years, I’m calling it now folks.
Add a Snoopy Roller coaster and it’s Russia’s version of mall of america.
The “point” being, this appears to follow Russia’s architectural history, built and unbuilt — see for example,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatlin's_Tower
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_the_Soviets
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_State_University
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Sisters_(Moscow)
If you are in NYC, check out, http://moma.org/exhibitions/exhibitions.php?id=5138
It would seem consistent, scowling Mayor of Moscow or no, with Putin’s push to reclaim Soviet glory, with a more humane and sophisticated facade than Breshnev, Stalin or Lenin. Architecture must answer to the State and the People! To make it more appealing to the sustainablity crowd, do you suppose it will also contain an “Animal Farm”?
G’day from sunny Adelaide, South Australia! I just wish say hello from Down Under. Very nice and useful website and Crystal Island building. Viva Crystal Island. Have a nice day and stay online. Happy New Year!!!
http://www.Metropolis5000.net
moscow should be insulted that foster would build something so imposing as to replace the skyline entirely. did moscow need replacing? why walk around moscow when you can stay inside your beehive all day.
‘PLEASE DO NOT TAP ON GLASS’
I am quite conservative when it comes to architecture and am always dismayed when another glass monstrosity is thrown up in my hometown (London, UK). However, Foster’s works do tend to have a beauty and elegance that fits in well with historical buildings. Foster’s company seem to be able to design with modern materials where others can merely build. Whereas the run-of-the-mill buildings of the time will come and go, I imagine the Foster buildings will be preserved to mark the height of design of this era (the steel and glass era).
All those saying this stands no chance in Moscow because of corruption, labour etc. don’t know Russia. I live in Moscow and work in construction and if the Mayor supports it and the governement wants it the last thing they have to worry about is corruption. The politicians will push it through and labour will be no issue – just import cheap foreign labour from neighbouring states. This is an ego project and Russia will love to have the ‘biggest and best’ in their capital. As to time – when health and safety and all the other things that hold things up in the west are unimportant things get built fast – you wouldn’t believe how fast things can get built in this market.
This is interesting, this will be the beginning what “we” call the Jetson era of advance technology!!!
if that the “building” block of new things to come don’t be surprise to see structures “pop up” in the United States, this is a good thing in a way it’s so large, that if there’s is a really nasty weather related storms such as a Hurricane Katrina, it should not be problem evacuating the public to these structures in the future!
yes, i know the rent will be “sky high” when they open it for the general public, hey, if man can not predict the weather, we still rely on something futuristic.
“get ready for your jet pack!”
Putin can pay this off by himself with the billions he’s acquired from ?……Look rather to how Israel is being surrounded and realize how close we all are to considering such as “Crystal Island” a non-issue. In the U.S. the time of “evil shall be called good and good evil” has been upon us for a few decades already. Our effiminate leaders are destroying us and Russia knows this, as does the whole world.
Looks like the tower of Babble. Smells like the world trade towers. Comes complete with wind powered bird grinders . Displaces many poor people in order to obtain the land to build it. Uses more resources then conventional housing because it mandates demolishing livable existing homes and buildings on witch materials have already been used.
Yep , it’s Russia in all her splendid gloification of self indulgence and leadership arrogance.
Just like America even.
….I doubt that Foster’s name for this will last. “Crystal,” indeed! Although it is a particularly Western thing to name grand edifices after corporate sponsors, I foresee this becoming known as “Дворец Gazprom”, with the sports stadium inside named “Колизей Putin”. I think Bucky Fuller would be very proud of his protege. It is an architecture of climate engineering, and dictated human systems. If Moscovites can adapt to behave like termites….
With so many people hungry and cold in Russia their solution is to build a monument to the wealthy so they can keep out the real world. The good thing is?
We had’em this design many moons before blue eyes. Red brothers know it by many names. Wigwam and teepee most common. Now we use’em design for casino advertising. See http://www.mysticlake.com for example.
We also give’em idea to Frank LLoyd Wright for Mile High building in Chicago. Too bad he go to Happy Hunting Ground in sky, before project start.
Mile High was a pie in the sky concept piece. The sponsors of this structure have every intention of seeing it rise. Does anyone know if it’s being developed by the state or by private interests?
Question: why hasn’t anyone talked about all of the JOBS this big project will bring?! What about all the TOURISTS it will bring?! I think it looks beautiful.
Wishing you ALL well from Georgia, U.S.A.!!
I don’t get it. This design doesn’t strike me as either beautiful or an effective use of space. For all the ground space it covers, it delivers only a modest amount of housing, recreation and retail space. It seems like the only point is “hey, look at me,” sort of like wearing a gold Rolex or driving something like the incredibly ugly current Rolls Royce. This is the kind of construction that’s done by a city of country that’s feeling insecure about it’s place in the world. Why not wrap it in chrome or gold while you’re at it?
how typically russian is that…
Even if it never sees completion, every design refinement along the way evolves building design. Everyone check out band wind power collectors. They’re amazing! http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4224763.html
It will be wonderful. We Russians are better at everything except for maybe invading Afganistan and making nuclear power at Chernobyl.
If they do start, and actually finish this thing, send the entire crew, from the designers to the poor slobs who who hauled away the trash over to NY… i’m stil waiting for the rebuilding of the World Trade Center that everyone promised…..
Foster’s buildings are lovely but he is fast becoming a parody of the hand-maiden of visionary Visigoths. In fact, architectural design appears to have totally lost its relationship to ground, plane and utility just now. It appears to have become an apolitical investment vehicle for global hedge-fund capitalism. It will be interesting to see how these schemes weather the credit crunch financial challenges of 2008.
Hi,
I have many buildings from Foster listed in my architecture web directory http://www.wikiarquitectura.com . All of them detailed explained, with text, pictures, plans and even videos in some of them
I invite all of you to visit it an to colaborate if you feel like to.
I wonder how many mobter’s offices and crack houses the tower will house…
What i wonder is how many black money will be blanked in this project , finished or not they get their purpose done. Also ill be happy to see this thing build up.
a archeticture of this building is a perfect design for russia it suits my country
Looks like something out of the movie “Blade Runner”.
Personally i find the structure quite appealing BUT……
The usage of the term sustainable is not applicable to singular buildings -whatever the scale. Buildings are measured by efficiencies or outputs whilst sustainable applies to whole societies. The bogus lies carried by this industry [architecture and built design] show how ego and sheepish fashion have a greater bearing on outcomes than true environmental health.
Case in point this structure – how many tonnes of steel, concrete, glass – and how much total energy is involved. I dare say no materials are being recycled to make the structure [though i could be wrong].
Pretty structure that will be reflected on in the future as a building in a era where people had so much and just squandered it.
It is an amasing building / structure…
It might not be very profitable on its own (unless the market research shows that there are plenty of rich people wishing to visit or buy there..
But Chrystal Island will bring the huge amount of “GOODWILL” to Moscow and Russia for sure – so it will be “profitable” for the whole city and the country – NO DOUBT ABOUT IT…
Wow, can’t wait to visit it when it’s built. Sounds like something from eragon (which I thought sounded very cool when I read it).
Doesn’t fit the Russian idea of architecture. It goes against the designs that people associate with the country (onion domes) and it is kitsch. Would look better suited in Shanghai or Taipei where they follow the over-the-top gawdy asian architecture style.
I rather like it. I think it is a graceful design although I dislike most modern buildings and especially the glass boxes. I understand this will be built some 4 miles from the Kremlin and is surrounded by trees. I am sure it will be built and also within the five years allotted.
I am quite aware that buildings in Moscow are always built quickly nowadays unlike say the half a billion pounds Dome or Wembley Stadium in London, or the tiny wobbly footbridge across the Thames and the leaking Princess Diana memorial.
Don’t worry “me”. Russia doesn’t need American money although there are rumours that the big American banks are going cap in hand to China requesting them to buy some equity. And “Ken” don’t believe the rumour started by a member of the same small tribe who stole all Russia’s resources in Yeltsin’s time.
Sounds like all the critics of Russians have a chip on their shoulder. Why don’t all the critics just go and DICTATE to
the Russians. What is all this criticism against the Russians.If this tower were built in Germany The whole world would HEIL HEIL HEIL!!! Leave the Russians Alone,let them be proud for a change!
The Eiffel Tower already exists
Interesting design though.
yeah i agree stop putting down the russians, everyone is flawed. BTW, it’s not the peoples fault that they are run by dictators, ever heard of the KGB. yeah i didnt think so, so shut up. at least in my country kevin rudd wont be kidnapping my family becuase i yelled abuse about john howard at police during schoolies.
OH AND BTW.
this kind of thing is something you will have to get use to, turn of the century this isnt the future anymore its the present. just cheak all the thing being built in duibi, china, america. Even in australia.
I say go for it Russia. The best way to get an economy moving is to put people to work. I think it will look very impressive from the air and I hope all the trees shown in the design drawings are actually planted. Every great society in the world has and needs it’s artifacts. We have plenty in the USA so I say go for it Russia build something great.
It’s magnificent…Hey, let’s just hope some radical Islamic faction doesn’t hijack a couple passenger jets and fly them into it… Then again, maybe that would make the ‘Mother Motherland’ think twice about supporting Iran with missiles, now wouldn’t it?
Sounds good architecure. As per previous posts, people livening is Mascow fears about environmental issues, but they are not thinking about how Mascow is recognized and how it fanancially help to Mascow. Even tourism also generates econamy for the country
spider man, spider man, goes where ever a spider can go
Very impressive. I am concerned about who is being displaced in order to construct this.
I get the sick feeling that this may be the first target in the next revolution. If the neuvo riche in Russia keep strutting their wealth, the working class is going to get pretty agitated again! The new Russia needs to develop it’s middle class first before it ‘promotes’ it’s upper class.
I would love to have heard the comments of the populace during the building of the pyramids.
A great idea but would be better investing that money for other purposes
I can’t believe the number of haters responding to this article. The mere fact that the number of folks spitting on such a project is greater than those who encourage it fully explains how screwed is our humanity. Shame on you all.
Of course, if this project was to be built on ground zero, all of the haters would certainly get a hard on about this project. But it’s going to be built in Russia, so feel free to hate and diss!
You do realize, of course, that this is just a hoax. I can’t believe how many of you were fooled! Pretty embarrassing for all of you.
Evacuating this island will be a BIIIIIITCH!
Judy111 and Sebastian make a good point. Cultures and nations are defined, in the end, by just this sort of project. Versailles defines classic France, inefficient and resource consumptive though the project was. The Forbidden City is the lasting legacy of Imperial China. The Winter Palace is the rich legacy of the Tsars. San Simeon, Biltmore, Marble House and the Newport “cottages” are America’s leagcy from the 19th Century industrial barons. None of these projects make economic sense but the world would be a far poorer place without them. The building of Angkor Wat no doubt displaced many peasants and I do not discount their disadvantage – but would we prefer not to have that fabulous treasure handed down to us today? Some obviously would not place this project in the afore-mentioned distinguished company. One may argue the merits of the style back and forth but ultimately, only time and history can render the final verdict.
Wow very impressive building. What a contrast to the wheel shaped hotel I’ve written about in my blog. This sure is something to be proud of for the Russians.
This will be great if they get Danes and Swedes to build it. If they use Russians it will be junk. Just saying.
From my kitchen window, which is just opposite the construction site, I’ll be delighted to look at this magnificent structure after it is completed. My family and neighbors also express interest and approval. The design seems advanced and fabulous. As to those Russophobic ‘friends’ of Russia who don’t miss the chance to send their malicious comments about almost everything relating to my country, I would say the following: “Please, exercise restraint, gentlemen, don’t play cynics and die-hard Cold-war opponents all the time. Wait for the completion date of the project in 2014, and, probably, you’ll change your rhetoric then.”
Initially the place was planned for a Formula-1 facilities to amuse the super-rich. It would certainly bring a lot of noise in the heart of Moscow and disturb the inhabitants nearby. People were against it. Now the new project suggests place for entertainment, shopping and leisure for the growing middle class, which my family belongs to. By the way, nobody will be displaced, for nobody lives there! We appreciate the fact that some comments from abroad express care for ‘the populace’, but ‘the populace’ here welcomes the idea. The single thing that we worry about is that the Moscow government might change its mind.
Russia is a huge countri wthi inferiority complex to mach its size.
The have done this before on paper and in plastic. in reality, the did not build anything original and substential
including hotel Ukraine or Moskaw University
I thin that this tower will be another symbol of Russian power because IT IS THE BIGGEST TOWER IN THE WORLD!!!!!
Duset Daram, how are any of the things you say connected?! What a strange comment…
I think it looks fantastic, and with many other projects currently under construction (and on schedule) at the Moscow international business centre, I think this city will look great within a decade. Russia is sure to be a prosperous nation, and seems to have got it together at last.
I feel the yanks are being green wid envey to hav a former enemy build somthing so grand and extrodinary!!!
still i feel more should b done for the poor………
Shouls it be called “Putin’s Penis” or maybe “Luzhkov’s Penis”?
You know….small man’s syndrome.
This project is fabulous. Can people just forget of politics once in life, and enjoy LIFE?!
So, enjoy life than my dear people.
Ivica009
building like this are the future. they will allow large numbers of people to live in smaller spaces meeting the demands of a growing population
[...] will be the largest building in the world with a natural ventilation system. Picture from Inhabitat.com Another Moscow-monstrosity is the Crystal Island (previous described on Momondo), which is [...]
The Crystal Island is being built on top of a half-demolished park, a couple of miles east of the Moscow city center, so it’s not gonna kick out any other inhabitants really. Second, I don’t really like the design no, same goes with all the other skyscrapers that are being built in Moscow and St. Petersburg right now (Gazprom Tower, Federation Tower, Imperial Tower, Russia Tower and so on…), I think their design is untasteful and I’d prefer an older look of things, but they’ve already completed a bunch of them so… And yeah, Russia affords this, no problem, their GDP is increasing so fast ever since Putins election (and will continue now with Medvedev), so they have no problem with initiating giant projects like these, trust me. But, I’d still prefer the old Moscow skyline, if you ask me. But oh well, the old Stalin skyscrapers (the seven sisters) weren’t that beautiful either so.
[...] inhabitat.com [...]
[...] Crystal Palace, Moscow Bookmark It « The Red Pill Project » 2008 Wellcome Biomedical Image Awards [...]
it’s amaging. it’s very very very butiful. i want see…… what i do?????????????
“This will be great if they get Danes and Swedes to build it. If they use Russians it will be junk. Just saying.”
- Just to remind you: The second tallest free-standing structure in the world – The Ostankino TV Tower in Moscow (540 m) – was built in the 1960s by Russian engineers and Russian construction workers, not Danes, or Swedes. You may also remember the first spacecraft…
Am I the only one who caught the part about this “world’s biggest building” being only 1500 feet tall? Is that a typo? There’s already several buildings taller than that…
“Big” is not necessarily a synonym for “tall”.
I assume here that they are referring to the total floor coverage.. I think 25 million square feet or something akin to that.
Just wanted to clear that. Anyway, it is likely that there shall be many more of these wondrous structures, (e.g. the Ultima tower, etc.) so it is rather fruitless to protest against this particular endeavour (when we consider the calibre of the designers) when many more are planned for construction.
Wishing all a fabulous week.
Hello sir i want world biggest building wall papers and more details, then i want the owener name and his place
oh my god…. it is so very great, and wonderful at the same time
I can’t wait to see that fabulous and amazing world biggest beautiful building in the world…
I agree with most people it will be bad for the people who live there but it be cool to visit. I mean if you live there you won’t have to leave the building.
This Building is very similiar to a proposal for a colosus of a building in Brazil a few years back , although this desighn is a bit more elegant overal I seriuosly doubt it has a chance of ever being built . By the way , what is it with the Russians and thier bigger is better philosphy ?
well..i wish have all its status uploaded for making people know sufficient about it…undoubtedly its an amazing design still in air yet to acquire the confirmation to land as a structure..
Wow, I’ve never seen anything like this before. When is it set to be completed?
Conclusion Though the implementation and use of biodiesel in the United States are significant steps forward, it is critical to understand that biodiesel is only a partial solution to our fuel problem. ,
I immediately take a salt shaker and salt my food without even tasting it first. ,
its really beautiful.
Actually, this building has been put on hold because the building developers are the same as the ones involved in CityCenter Las Vegas and DubaiWorld. They planned this during the peak of the real estate boom. I don’t think valuations are strong enough anymore to justify this.