Search See the latest technology from the 2010 Los Angeles Auto ShowMORE TOP STORIES » A skyscraper like no other: Taiwan to build 390- meter tower with floating observatory blimps It might look like something out of Isaac Asimov's imagination, it might look like it could never stand up, but this bizarre concept building is about to go into construction. "Floating Observatories" is Stefan Dorin's winning entry in the recent Taiwan Tower Conceptual International Competition – and in return for his US$130,000 first prize, now he has to actually build the thing. The new tower, standing more than 300 meters tall with its helium-filled observatory "leaves", will be the crown jewel of Taechung, the third largest city in Taiwan. Architect Dorin Stefan has had a lot of success in his home town of Bucharest – even snagging the job of designing Romania's pavilions at two world Expos in 1993 and 2005. But his latest design, soon to be built on the mid-west coast of Taiwan, could be the most outrageous of them all. Standing somewhere around 390 meters tall, Stefan's "Floating Observatories" features geothermal heating and water heating in t he basement, natural ventilation through the "chimney" effect, solar cells and axially mounted wind turbines around GOOD THINKING B Loz Blain 21:29 November 28, 201013 Comments8 Pictures Dorin Stefan's 'Floating Observatories' tower; construction begins in 2012 in Taechung, Taiwan Image Gallery (8 images)Recent popular articles in Good ThinkingSectionsAero GizmoAround The HomeAutomotive Baby GizmoChildsplayDigital CamerasecoGizmo Electronics GamesGood ThinkingHealth and WellbeingHoliday DestinationsHome EntertainmentInventors and Remarkable PeopleLaptopsMilitaryMobile TechnologyMotorcycles MusicOn the WaterOutdoors Personal ComputingPet GizmosPodcastsResearch WatchRoboticsScience and EducationSportsSpy GearTelecommunications Urban TransportWearable ElectronicsSubscr ibe to Giz mag's RSS feed Fol low Giz mag on Twi tter Latest LHC experiments show early universe behaved like a liquidCabasse L'Ocean Speakers – 117dB with no distortionFart-proof 4SKINS underwear soaks up offensive rear end odorsPole-climbing bike lock hoists bikes beyond the reach of would-be thievesA skyscraper like no other: Taiwan to build 390-meter tower with floating observatory blimpsMulk Renewable Energy - www.mulkre.comManufacturer - CSP & PV Systems Turnkey Installers- CSP & PV System Renewable Energy Info - www.The-Green-Guide.info/Find Out About Eco Energy Sources & How To Be Green. Get A Free Report! Taiwan Business Info - www.taiwan.gov.twStart here to learn about Taiwan economy from official sources! Big RC Blimps 10-30 ft. - www.E-Blimp.comClean, Quiet, EZ Electric systems For Sale Or Rent, optional Camera Ads by Google Top ten technology firsts of2010Dedicated sandbag filling tool five times faster than a shovel The brick-road-laying Tiger StoneE-ink evolves: full color, video-capable, easy on the eye and cheap enough to be disposable Sandbag 2.0 – meet the Sand BrickFart-proof 4SKINS underwear soaks up offensive rear end odors The LifeStraw makes dirty water cleanPage 1 of 6 A skyscraper like no other: Taiwan to build 390-meter tower with floating observatory... 11/30/2010 http://www.gizmag.com/taiwa n-tower-dorin-stefan-floating-ob servatory-blimps-taec h ...