The old church of Valer, a small town in the southeast of Norway, burned down in 2009 and has left a void in a cultural-historical site. Copenhagen-based firm CEBRA has created a proposal for its replacement derived from obvious religious symbolism as a leaning cross that rises from the ground. Light and wood become the two most important building materials, merging a long standing Norwegian construction history with the quality of sacred spaces required of a place of worship. The particular shape of the cross also serves the building’s program as appropriately as it does metaphorically – an inhabitable "stairway to heaven". The new wooden structure is built on the opposite side of a central walkway from the location of the original chapel, where only the foundation remains in ruins. It creates a threshold between the cemetery and birch grove, and re-utilizes the original footprint as a reflecting pool, reactivating and respecting its history.
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Today we want to represent to your attention stunning underwater hotel Fiji’s Poseidon Resort. Set 40 feet below the water’s surface in a pristine Fijian lagoon is the Poseidon Undersea Resort, a real life submerged hotel accessible by lift and the first of its kind in the world. For a $15,000 per person you’ll get four nights in one of the above water suites, two nights in one of the undersea suites (%70 of the room is see through) and a bunch of other pretty awesome stuff like getting behind the wheel of a mini submarine and gourmet foods. At the moment hotel isn’t open but you can leave your email and you will be notified then they’re open.
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This time we want to show you creative eco hotel built on the Orel river in Ukraine. Author of the project is Ryntovt Design studio. After an extensive ecological analysis of the lush green site by the Orel river, the architect deemed appropriate the use of ‘ecologically harmless materials’ so as to better integrate the structure into the wildlife. The bones of the single-level building are made of wood and shell stone. Some of the structural beams are uncut trees themselves. Clay and reed are used in the thatch roof plate and perforated pod-like structures that serve to insulate as well as admit natural light. The organic shapes of the interior work harmoniously with the surrounding wildlife. Aside from a bountiful apple tree garden, the hotel also uses the natural ‘eco-cover’ of the forest as both protection and inspiration. The hotel is a total work of design, with furniture and details created with low-impact, local materials and a highly sustainable sensibility.
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Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has released their most recent design project – a 420ft-high observation tower in Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix is renowned for its stunning natural terrain, its mountainous peaks drawing tourists in from around the world. And the Observation Tower or “Pin” allows visitors to gaze across the local surroundings with 360° views. Three glass elevators transport users to the summit from which they can descend while taking in the panoramic views either to the central level where glass elevators will take them back to the base or further down to the lowest level of the spherical volume where they will encounter the retail and restaurant facilities. Brian Stowell of developers Novawest said of the project: “This is the right place and the right time for a signature project for downtown Phoenix and we knew the design needed to be something extraordinary. BIG has delivered something exceptional, blending form and function in a way that will change the local skyline forever and will give visitors a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
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If you like to travel but don’t want to stay in usual hotels in usual places then this interesting project worty for your attention. It allows to stay where you want! DROP is a moveable suite suitable for being placed wherever you want. “The design is slightly elevated to avoid contact with the soil so as not to interfere with the environment when it’s removed. Spherical transparencies on either end can be positioned to face the most desirable views while bringing guests into direct contact with nature. For the modern nomad, these eco-friendly ‘rooms’ are not only sustainable but surprisingly comfortable and perfectly integrated on the surrounding landscape. It’s especially suitable for anyone who has an inherent yearning for nature but doesn’t want to negatively impact on the environment.” Take a look!
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The intention of the Bionic Tower is to explore the array of ways in which natural and architectural can merge, creating the ultimate inhabitable structure. It starts at the basic level. Using references to the biological organization of the ecosystem, the design works its way from the smallest unit to the intelligence of the overall system. By use of parametric modeling of a behavioral logic the system gets constantly optimized. Designed by LAVA, this biomorphic project is inspired by nature, and attempts to conceive a structure of great lightness, efficiency and elegance, using advanced design techniques.
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This is not another futuristic hotel. It’s a futuristic oceanographic marine vessel that would be constructed with the sole aim of exploring the world’s oceans. Called The SeaOrbiter it would serve as a scientific laboratory as scientists explore the places that cover two-thirds of our planet and contain 80% of all life on Earth — the oceans. The brainchild of French architect Jacques Rougerie, The SeaOrbiter would also be the world’s first vertical ship standing at an impressive 170 feet (51m) tall. In order to make the vessel as stable as possible, two-thirds of its structure would remain underwater, giving the craft buoyancy, as well a “fish-collection system for studies of the pelagic ecosystem, plankton biodiversity, and fish stocks.” The SeaOrbiter concept, the $52.7 million project, has been discussed for over 12 years and as been dismissed on countless occasions as a pipe dream, but it seems like the project has gained traction and construction is rumored to start in October with the vessel launching next year. Take a look!
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Jingzhou Sports Center in the downtown area of Jingzhou city, China, will be designed by the collaboration of Chinese practice DUO and China National Sports Group. The center will feature spiral-like rooftops linked together by a roof canopy and will sit on an area of 550 by 470 meters, and will serve as a hub of activity. It will be dedicated to athletic activities as well as for shopping, concerts and fairs. The tri-fold arrangement will house an aquatic facility, a gymnasium and a training center above which a roof canopy wraps the three structures into one. Take a look!
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