Culver City, California, USA
Led by Filippo Innocenti and project architect Gian Luca Barone, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) have signed an agreement with Hyperloop Italia to jointly design its next phase of works that marks a turning point for the future of transport Hyperloop transports passengers at very high speed safely, economically and sustainably.
The plans are at an early stage, but ZHA’s involvement will be centered around the Hyperloop vehicles themselves, stations, or wider infrastructure, and where they will be located.
However, Hyperloop Italia has said one possible route could be between Milan and the Malpensa airport, reducing travel times between the two from 40 minutes to just 10 minutes.
The project is similar to other Hyperloop proposals and will consist of two low-pressure tubes that propel magnetically levitated cargo and passenger capsules measuring 20 m (65 ft) in length and 2.7 m (8.8 ft) in diameter at speeds of up to 1,223 km/h (760 mph) – though the actual speed may well end up being significantly slower.
The energy to run it will come from renewable sources like solar power, with help from regenerative braking tech, and according to ZHA, the Hyperloop Italia setup will produce more power than it requires.
Meanwhile, recycled materials will also be used to help build the required infrastructure, including stations.
“We are looking forward to collaborating with Hyperloop Italia; marrying transformative architecture, engineering and urban planning with the most efficient and sustainable transport network to significantly improve accessibility, connectivity, and well-being in our cities,” says Patrik Schumacher, ZHA Principal.
“We share Hyperloop Italia’s multidisciplinary approach which combines innovations in design and operational technologies with advances in ecologically sound materials and construction practices; enabling us to deliver future-resilient projects that are spatially inventive, structurally efficient and environmentally sustainable.”
The signing-up of ZHA marked another step forward for the project and the development of the “fourth industrial revolution,” said Bibop Gresta – founder and chief executive of Hyperloop Italia and co-founder of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies.
“We are committed to building the most accessible, convenient, and safest transportation system in the world using the new generation of environmentally friendly materials with a high recycled content.”
Project: Hyperloop Italia
Architects: Zaha Hadid
Client: Hypeloop Trannsportation Technologies, Inc.