Instead of hitting the Swiss Alps or the south of France for a holiday, the movers and shakers of the world could head to the Nevada desert. You would certainly be forgiven if gambling at the politically incorrect Las Vegas comes into your mind. But here, we have a $300 million super structure planned to be built by Donna Vassar, the scion of the Vassar education empire. The spherical, six-storey Universitas Leadership Sanctuary complex has been described as a ‘giant flower’ with petals that gather solar, hydro and wind energy. The structure will be a place for the very powerful, ranging from stateheads to members of the monarchies, to unwind, relax and contemplate their next moves. All this in the four level, breathtaking, globe shaped, futuristic structure which takes inspiration from monasteries around the world.

Designed by the architect Douglas Patterson, the ground level is for bookworms, the library, the first will be the debate hall, the second is for making the building energy efficient and the final level is for the world’s leaders to just sit still and silently meditate. The green lovers could also indulge in a little bit of relaxed gardening too. Living quarters and dining will sit next to the globe shaped structure. And, all this in the steaming hot Nevada desert.

Now, once this structure is built, Donna Vassar will need to use all her persuading skills to bring the world’s decision makers to come along and find sanctuary in the middle of Nevada desert. Knowing Donna Vassar’s reputation though, she might just pull it off comfortably. 300 Million dollars rests on her skills. Phew!

via Guardian / thedesignblog217566