stratosphere

Las Vegas, USA | Concept

This is a proposed project for the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower in Las Vegas. The Stratosphere is a Las Vegas Strip resort with an 80,000-square-foot casino. The 1,149-foot Stratosphere Tower is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States, featuring the Top of the World restaurant and highest view of the Las Vegas Strip from the Observation Deck as well as SkyJump Las Vegas and thrill rides Big Shot, X-Scream and Insanity. A viewing deck was desired for this structure to add to the amenities and increase visitors to the resort.

The concept behind the design was that the deck ‘orbits’ the Stratosphere structure.This is acknowledging the intent of the Stratosphere to be very high up (somewhat space travel like) and looking down on the ground. The deck is meant to intensify this experience. The deck ‘leaves’ the building at opposite ends which ‘ is intended to give people a thrill as they walk away from the building out into space, with ‘only cables’ connecting them to the building. The glass floor and surrounds support this idea.

The structure proposed to support this viewing deck also supports the intent of the design. Cables were used to connect the deck to the structure on top of the viewing deck in order to intensify this effect of the risky feeling of hardly being supported. The more rigid beams for lateral stabilization are below deck - visible but less ‘present’ in the occupied space. A bar is proposed on the viewing deck to encourage lingering. A tilted 10 foot glass wall framed by the supporting structure surrounds the deck to ensure clear views as well as securing the area safely.