Carlo Ratti Associati has teamed up with German engineer Schlaich Bergermann Partner and British design studio Atmos to design the world's tallest man-made structure. Nearly twice the height of the Burj Khalifa, the 1609-meter-tall tower was envisioned as a vertical "Central Park" clothed in vegetation and supported by a lightweight matrix of pre-stressed cables. 

© Carlo Ratti Associati

Carlo Ratti Associati has teamed up with German engineer Schlaich Bergermann Partner and British design studio Atmos to design the world's tallest man-made structure. Nearly twice the height of the Burj Khalifa, the 1609-meter-tall tower was envisioned as a vertical "Central Park" clothed in vegetation and supported by a lightweight matrix of pre-stressed cables. "Imagine you take New York's Central Park, turn it vertical, roll it and twirl it," said Carlo Ratti.
© Carlo Ratti Associati

"The Mile," as its named, is a "real project" says Ratti. Though its client is remaining unanimous, Ratti ensures that they are in discussion with a number of cities to scout a potential site.

© Carlo Ratti Associati

If built, visitors would ascend via a series of dual purpose "sculptural capsules" orbiting the tower's 20-meter-wide shaft; beyond transporting visitors to and from the tower's mile-high viewing deck, "sky walkway," park and restaurant, the capsules can be use...