South Korea Is Building 'Invisible' Skyscraper

Uses cameras and LED screens to disappear from sight
By Ruth Brown,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 16, 2013 2:28 PM CDT
South Korea Is Building 'Invisible' Skyscraper
   (GDS Architects)

Superpowered skyscrapers seem to be all the rage these days. London has one that can melt cars, and now South Korea is planning to build one with the power of invisibility. The country's government recently gave the go-ahead for the construction of a 1,476-foot structure called "Tower Infinity" in the city of Incheon, reports the Wall Street Journal. The tower, designed by a US-based architecture firm, is expected to house a movie theater, roller coaster, and water park, reports CNN. But by far its coolest features is that it will "disappear."

No magic or mutant abilities will be needed: The trick is performed via 500 LED screens, and cameras at three different heights on six sides of the building. The cameras capture what's behind the building, then display it on the screens, tricking observers' eyes into making it look like the building isn't there. But there are some caveats: It will only work at certain times of day and at certain angles, and will only be turned on for short periods at specific times, reports the Journal. And though it may sound like a plane crash waiting to happen, the project's backers say it's safe for air traffic, because even in invisibility mode it will still have to keep its red warning lights on. (A new 47-story building in Spain is facing a bizarre design issue, however.)

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