A new book, “The Atlas of Never Built Architecture,” takes readers on a journey through unrealized architectural dreams. Sam Lubell and Greg Goldin explore over 300 never-built designs from global architects, giving us a glimpse into what could have been in locations such as Wall Street, Jakarta’s skyline, and Ethiopia’s Rift Valley.
All buildings start as ideas, but not all of them become reality. This book highlights how some architects’ ambitious visions were abandoned due to various factors like lack of funds or political obstacles. The collection of lost designs offers a unique perspective on alternative realities, prompting readers to ponder what could have been.
Lubell and Goldin’s book features sketches and stories behind over 300 proposed structures spanning 100 years and 80 countries. From skyscrapers to casinos to floating theaters, the book showcases a diverse range of architectural concepts that never came to be. Each design tells a unique story of creativity, innovation, and missed opportunities.
One such unrealized project was the Peruri 88 tower in Jakarta, Indonesia. This innovative tower was designed as a complex of Tetris-like structures housing offices, townhouses, a luxury hotel, and various other amenities. The escalators spanning 15 stories aimed to make the most of vertical space in Jakarta’s densely populated environment. Unfortunately, this ambitious project never materialized, leaving behind only a vision of what could have been.
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in architecture and its potential for shaping cities and societies. It serves as a reminder that even the greatest ideas can fall by the wayside due to circumstances beyond our control
