Airbus Unveils Transparent Airplane

Airbus has unveiled a futuristic concept for a transparent plane that may be everyday air transport in 2050. With its see-through aircraft cabin, passengers of the future will get a window on the world as they fly through the sky. They will be able to see everything to the sides and in front of them.

The concept cabin unveiled at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, would be a bionic structure that 'mimics' the efficiency of the bird bone, claimed the company.

It would provide strength where needed, and also allows for an intelligent' cabin wall membrane, which controls air temperature and can become transparent to give passengers open, panoramic views.

The company believes that mid-century passengers might be able to enjoy a game of virtual golf or take part in interactive conferences, while the cabin 'identifies and responds' to travelers' needs.

In the 'interactive zone' there are virtual pop-up projections taking passengers to whichever social scene they want to be in, from holographic gaming to virtual changing rooms for active shoppers.

The 'smart tech zone' is tailored towards the more functional-orientated passenger with what Airbus describes as 'a chameleon-style offering.'

It aims to meet individual needs ranging from a simple to a complete luxury service, but all allowing 'you to continue life as if on the ground'.

Our research shows that passengers of 2050 will expect a seamless travel experience while also caring for the environment, the Daily Mail quoted Airbus engineering executive vice-president Charles Champion as saying.

The concept cabin is designed with that in mind, and shows that the journey can be as much a voyage of discovery as the destination, he added.

Antonov - Worlds Biggest Airplane

THIS AIRPLANE WAS AT THE NIAGARA FALLS AIRPORT RECENTLY (TWICE) TO LOAD COMPRESSORS TO FLY DIRECTLY TO SAUDI ARABIA

32 wheels! -- Costs more than my house to rotate the tires! The World's Biggest Airplane, the Russian Antonov 225. Attached pics are of the Russian behemoth when it came into Medford , OR , to pick up two Sikorsky fire fighting helicopters to take overseas -- it cost $1,000,000 to transport them. It is amazing something this huge can stay in the air. The Wright brothers would never have dreamed it.

Most Beautiful Night Brigde Pictures

The RIBA Awards for 2011

Almost 100 buildings in the UK and Europe have been recognised for their architectural excellence by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

This is the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon - rebuilt by Bennetts Associates - with its new 1,000-seat, thrust-stage auditorium.

Eye-catching sports venues among the 97 shortlisted buildings include the Olympic Park Velodrome in east London (top) and the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (bottom). The former - designed by Hopkins Architects - is applauded for its aura of elegance and simplicity, while the latter - by Populous/Scott Tallon Walker - is praised for its organic form.

Designed as one of Alain de Botton’s Living Architecture projects, this balancing barn was praised by the judges for creating a sense of obscure but pleasurable unease. Designed by Dutch firm MVRDV, it sleeps eight people and stands on the edge of a nature reserve a few miles inland from the Suffolk coast.

This Love Shack in the Ambleside area of Cumbria - designed by Sutherland Hussey Architects - is one of the many domestic residences that have been singled out for praise by the RIBA judges. Local timber, natural topography and stunning views make this a highly skilled architectural piece in their eyes.

Fittingly perhaps, this photo shows a bird's eye view of an unusual wooden hide built at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' nature reserve at Titchwell in Norfolk. One side of the Haysom Ward Miller-designed building looks out on a fresh water lagoon, while the other offers a perspective on a salt water marsh.

The McManus Galleries in Dundee, Scotland is awarded for adapting an existing 1867 building and its 1889 extension. An internal glazed lobby, a sculptural stairway (right) and a new plaza are among the boldly contemporary additions by Page/Park Architects.

Hopkins Architects were praised for combining and renovating two existing historic structures, the Newton and Arkwright Buildings at Nottingham Trent University, described as a seamless transition between new and old. All the winners are now eligible for the Stirling Prize for best building, to be presented in October.