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A bunch of architects want to build a $26 billion underwater city in Tokyo — take a look

  • <p>If construction plans ever move forward, the first Ocean Spiral would sit 16,400 feet below sea level off the coast of Tokyo, Takeuch tells Business Insider. </p>
    1/9

    A bunch of architects want to build a $26 billion underwater city in Tokyo

    If construction plans ever move forward, the first Ocean Spiral would sit 16,400 feet below sea level off the coast of Tokyo, Takeuch tells Business Insider.

  • <p>Massive turbines would be stationed on the ocean floor, drawing power from the waves, tides, and currents. The nine-mile-long Spiral would then convert it into energy for the sphere at the top to use. </p>
    2/9

    A bunch of architects want to build a $26 billion underwater city in Tokyo

    Massive turbines would be stationed on the ocean floor, drawing power from the waves, tides, and currents. The nine-mile-long Spiral would then convert it into energy for the sphere at the top to use.

  • <p>An estimated 5,000 people could live in the sphere. </p>
    3/9

    A bunch of architects want to build a $26 billion underwater city in Tokyo

    An estimated 5,000 people could live in the sphere.

  • <p>In all the renderings, sharks are eerily circling a Spiral, but Takeuch assures us that the development would be completely secure from predators. The architects estimate the system would generate enough power to support everyone who would live there. </p>
    4/9

    A bunch of architects want to build a $26 billion underwater city in Tokyo

    In all the renderings, sharks are eerily circling a Spiral, but Takeuch assures us that the development would be completely secure from predators. The architects estimate the system would generate enough power to support everyone who would live there.

  • <p>Inside the sphere, there would be residential units, offices … </p>
    5/9

    A bunch of architects want to build a $26 billion underwater city in Tokyo

    Inside the sphere, there would be residential units, offices …

  • <p>… labs, restaurants, and a few schools. </p>
    6/9

    A bunch of architects want to build a $26 billion underwater city in Tokyo

    … labs, restaurants, and a few schools.

  • <p>The designers see the Ocean Spiral as a more environmentally-friendly habitat than Earth since commune would use 100% renewable energy. If the plans somehow move forward, they imagine it could be complete as early as 2030. </p>
    7/9

    A bunch of architects want to build a $26 billion underwater city in Tokyo

    The designers see the Ocean Spiral as a more environmentally-friendly habitat than Earth since commune would use 100% renewable energy. If the plans somehow move forward, they imagine it could be complete as early as 2030.

  • <p>Considering oceans cover 70% of the Earth's surface, the architects say the deep-sea offers tremendous potential for alternative energy sources. </p>
    8/9

    A bunch of architects want to build a $26 billion underwater city in Tokyo

    Considering oceans cover 70% of the Earth's surface, the architects say the deep-sea offers tremendous potential for alternative energy sources.

  • <p>"But we have not made the most of this potential yet," Takeuch says. "Now, I propose this new challenge for the future." </p>
    9/9

    A bunch of architects want to build a $26 billion underwater city in Tokyo

    "But we have not made the most of this potential yet," Takeuch says. "Now, I propose this new challenge for the future."

<p>If construction plans ever move forward, the first Ocean Spiral would sit 16,400 feet below sea level off the coast of Tokyo, Takeuch tells Business Insider. </p>
<p>Massive turbines would be stationed on the ocean floor, drawing power from the waves, tides, and currents. The nine-mile-long Spiral would then convert it into energy for the sphere at the top to use. </p>
<p>An estimated 5,000 people could live in the sphere. </p>
<p>In all the renderings, sharks are eerily circling a Spiral, but Takeuch assures us that the development would be completely secure from predators. The architects estimate the system would generate enough power to support everyone who would live there. </p>
<p>Inside the sphere, there would be residential units, offices … </p>
<p>… labs, restaurants, and a few schools. </p>
<p>The designers see the Ocean Spiral as a more environmentally-friendly habitat than Earth since commune would use 100% renewable energy. If the plans somehow move forward, they imagine it could be complete as early as 2030. </p>
<p>Considering oceans cover 70% of the Earth's surface, the architects say the deep-sea offers tremendous potential for alternative energy sources. </p>
<p>"But we have not made the most of this potential yet," Takeuch says. "Now, I propose this new challenge for the future." </p>
Business Insider

Earth as we know it might not last forever.

If sea level rise triggers flooding in our cities, if climate change makes it impossible to grow food for billions of people, or if there's some other as-yet unthinkable apocalyptic disaster, humans will need a new home.

The architects at Shimizu Corporation, a Tokyo-based firm, want to build underwater cities that they call Ocean Spirals.

There are no concrete plans to construct an Ocean Spiral, which project leader Masaki Takeuch estimates would cost $26 billion. But the renderings are certainly fantastical.

Check them out below.

This gallery originally appeared as a story by Business Insider here.

All images courtesy Business Insider.