I stumbled across this building as I was looking for examples of techno-utopian architecture. Although this may not be a techno-utopian style like we looked at in class, it is certainly a utopian style, and I would even argue that it is just a different style of techno-utopia. Nonetheless, it is a great example of hybridization. It combines the ideas of techno-utopia, montage, and even monumentality. The unique part of the tower is the fact that it will be "invisible". The technological ability to do this is why I would classify it as a variation of the techno-utopia we looked at in class. The interesting part of how this would be achieved is that they would create a reflective skin on the building using LED's and specially positioned optical cameras. The reflective skin reminded me of the how the Glass Skyscraper does the same thing as a form of montage, so I thought the Cheongna City Tower (or Tower Infinity) would also be a form of montage with its reflective exterior. However, I am not sure how the idea of invisibility would be accomplished through this.
The monumental aspect of the building is achieved in a couple of ways. The first is that it strives to do the exact opposite of what most other skyscrapers try to do by being less visible. In its attempt to be less visible, it becomes a monumental building because of its sharp contrast to the typical skyscraper. The second way it achieves a monumental aspect its inspiration from Louis Kahn. Louis Kahn often referred to the power of "absence" and the strength of "nothingness" and also aimed to create architecture with the same monumentality as the ancient ruins he had seen in Greece and Egypt. The designers of this skyscraper were influenced by these ideas and attempted to design a building that was both monumental and "invisible".
