“Never-Built Architecture: A Vision of What Could Have Been” is a new book that delves into the world of lost architectural ideas. Authored by Sam Lubell and Greg Goldin, the book explores over 300 never-built designs from around the globe, giving readers a glimpse into the creative visions of architects that never materialized.
The authors examine the reasons behind these failed projects, from political interference to a lack of funds. Among the proposed structures featured in the book are sketches and stories behind more than 300 skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, government buildings, cemeteries, and even a floating theater boat that resembles a UFO. These designs span over 100 years and 80 countries, providing an insight into the diverse creative visions of architects across the world.
One of the proposed designs included in the book is the Peruri 88 tower in Jakarta, Indonesia. Unveiled in 2012, this 88-story tower was designed as a complex of Tetris-like structures that maximized vertical space. It was set to include offices, townhouses, a luxury hotel, movie theaters, a wedding chapel, and a mosque, with plans for a mall featuring escalators spanning 15 stories.
As readers explore these never-built designs from around the world, they are prompted to consider what could have been and whether our current built environment is truly optimal. The book invites readers to imagine alternative realities and rethink their assumptions about architecture’s fixed nature.
Overall,”Never-Built Architecture: A Vision of What Could Have Been” offers an exciting exploration into lost architectural ideas and invites readers to think creatively about what could be possible in their own communities.
