Example #2: A Domed Community Of Tomorrow In New York
Architectural Narrative for "Destiny USA," an environmentally sustainable community:
Introduction
"In the not-too-distant future, all development will be green. Developers, builders and buyers will discover that green not only enhances their pocketbooks, but also their health and the quality of their lives."
- William S. Becker, U.S. Department of Energy
For millennia, people have been fascinated by the dream of an ideal environment...a place that embodies humanity's best aspirations...a modern-day paradise that inspires visitors to discover their own personal potential. Through the years, some of the world's greatest thinkers and dreamers have described such perfect man-made environments-from Plato's Republic to Sir Thomas Moore's Utopia.
In recent times, Walt Disney envisioned a city...an "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow,"...where the only acceptable form of transportation would be a network of electric monorails, no-emission electric vehicles and people-movers. He dreamed of a living city, destined to become "a community of tomorrow that will never be completed...always introducing, demonstrating and testing new materials and new systems...a showcase to the world for the ingenuity and imagination of American free enterprise"
When Walt Disney's original vision died with him in 1966, the bold, experimental plan for Epcot was reduced to a gated theme park. Since then, other far-sighted thinkers and dreamers have carried Disney's grand utopian vision into the 21st century. But none of these visions is more sustainable, more environmentally responsible, and more innovative than Destiny USA. Designed to be the world's largest enclosed and integrated structure, this unique destination will feature a daring blend of experience and experiment.
Whether visitors stay for a just few hours, or linger for several days at one of Destiny USA's 60,000 hotel rooms, everyone will enjoy the sight of America's legendary spirit of creativity once again in full flower. Here, the passion for discovery and invention permeates every aspect of the guest experience as the dreams of history's social visionaries finally become reality.
While Destiny USA's wide range of cutting-edge attractions and world-class hospitality are certain to be appealing enticements for visitors, the true heart and soul of the project is its sustainable and revolutionary design. Destiny will employ 100% renewable energy resources...a target never before attempted on such an ambitious scale. Destiny USA's commitment to sustainable design will demonstrate practical and attractive ways to break the world's addiction to oil.
Green Principles
In his forward-looking and cogent book The Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainability, writer, futurist and entrepreneur Paul Hawken describes principles that are very much in line with the core philosophy of Destiny USA. Hawken defines "sustainability" as "...a state where the demands placed upon the environment by the people can be met without reducing the capacity of the environment to provide for future generations."
To attain this state of sustainability, Destiny has adopted some of Hawken's basic principles, such as reducing absolute consumption of energy and natural resources, providing secure, stable and meaningful employment, and striving for an aesthetic outcome. Destiny also aspires to being progressive, fun and engaging.
