Mermaid-Inspired Aquatic Building by JDS Architects
Posted By Emily Pilloton On March 30, 2009 @ 5:00 am In Architecture,biomimicry | 2 Comments
[4]
Last week we featured flying architecture [5], and now here’s a floating structure [6] inspired by the grace and curvilinear form of a mermaid. European firm, JDS Architects’ Mermaid building [7] is in a way both ridiculous and incredibly thought-provoking. Resembling the dystopian Lilypad floating cities [6] that we covered a year ago, the renderings of the Mermaid show the building in every extreme biome on earth — from tropical islands to glacial surroundings. The building boasts terraces of greenery, a dolphinarium, hotel, and vacation properties. Is this just a glorified cruise ship? (With somewhat suspect structural support?) Or a new model for private development that truly is responsive to its aquatic surroundings?
According to the designers, the proximity of the building’s multiple programs and its unique floating site [8] create a framework for the collision of sea, air, and light, intended to stimulate wellness for the building’s users. The Mermaid building — one could argue — is a new take on eco-tourism: bringing dolphins and sea life front and center for visitors and residents, all wrapped in a dramatic architectural feat.
The structure has four central functions: a dolphinarium, wellness center, vacation homes, and a hotel, each of which are nestled between dynamic archi-topological features like caves, sloping hills, and of course, the dramatic inclines of the “island” building itself.
+ JDS Architects [7]
Via Designboom [9]
Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com
URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/mermaid-inspired-aquatic-building-by-jds-architects/
URLs in this post:
[1] Tweet: http://twitter.com/share
[2] Share on Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/share
[3] Email: mailto:?subject=http://inhabitat.com/mermaid-inspired-aquatic-building-by-jds-architects/
[4] Image: http://www.inhabitat.com/?p=22493
[5] flying architecture: http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/03/25/geotecturas-airchitecture-flying-buildings/
[6] floating structure: http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/06/16/lilypad-floating-cities-in-the-age-of-global-warming/
[7] JDS Architects’ Mermaid building: http://www.jdsarchitects.com/
[8] floating site: http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/11/17/aerohotel-by-alexander-asadov/
[9] Via Designboom: http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/5439/jds-architects-mermaid.html
Click here to print.