Posted by Dabney B. on Monday, October 21st, 2013
Image from architzercdn.com
I’ve seen (and written about) virtually every floating house design imaginable, from the humble Exbury Egg to the massive Project Venus. There’s one pervasive trend that I’ve noticed in just about every design: aquatic architects tend to care about form more than function. Continue reading…
Posted by Dabney B. on Friday, October 18th, 2013
Image source: Iliketowastemytime.com
What do you get when you combine a squid, green energy, a garden, a janitor, and a boat? You get the Physalia, a truly unique floating art piece that could help change the world.
Designed by Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut, Physalia was intended as a way to clean Europe’s filthy waterways, all while offering Europeans a gorgeous view of environmental conservation in action. The science here is a bit technical, but basically all you need to know is that Physalia’s hull is coated with titanium dioxide, which absorbs ultraviolet rays in order to encourage the decomposition of toxins in the water. The vessel would also have systems in place that could desalinate surrounding water and destroy any bacteria. It’s basically a gigantic water treatment facility that putters around the rivers of Europe, scrubbing the waterways clean of pollution and converting river water into pristine drinking water.
Posted by Dabney B. on Wednesday, October 16th, 2013
Image source: Flickr.com
Nek Chand Saini of India is not a classically trained artist. He didn’t go to art schools and he didn’t travel the world to visit famous art galleries. What he did have, though, was a passion for the world of art. So, lacking a conventional outlet for his creativity, Chand turned to his surroundings for inspiration. Continue reading…
Posted by Dabney B. on Monday, October 14th, 2013
Image source: Inhabitat.com
How did you celebrate this year’s autumnal equinox? Well, I’m guessing that you didn’t do anything. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t even know what the autumnal equinox is. Don’t be embarrassed — Westerners generally don’t focus on lunar-based holidays that much, so the autumnal equinox usually comes and goes in America without a lot of notice. Continue reading…
Posted by Dabney B. on Friday, October 11th, 2013
Image source: Deviantart.net
I’ve come across some pretty ambitious architectural projects before. Up until now, I think the most ambitious project would probably be this massive floating city. I mean, it’s hard to top something like that, right? Continue reading…
Posted by Dabney B. on Wednesday, October 9th, 2013
Image source: Bergoiata.com
The thing I love most about aquascapes is how they combine land and sea into a beautiful, cohesive whole. It’s rare to see a piece of architecture that adds the sky into the mixture, but there is one commonly adored building that represents the gorgeous trinity of sea, land, and sky: lighthouses. Continue reading…
Posted by Dabney B. on Monday, October 7th, 2013
Image source: Jdsa.eu
In writing about aquatic architecture, I’ve come across some pretty bizarre designs — floating cities, underwater hotels, and oil rig resorts, just to name a few. Now I’ve got another weird idea to add to the pile: JDS Architects’ Venice 2.0. Continue reading…
Posted by Dabney B. on Friday, October 4th, 2013
Image source: Inhabitat.com
We tend to associate certain locations with luxury and relaxation: the beach, the spa, a five star hotel, a cabin at the edge of a serene lake, an oil rig… Continue reading…
Posted by Dabney B. on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013
Image source: LMCC.net
It’s truly amazing what you can do with the near-limitless potential of aquatic architecture. I suspect that the only reason why aquatic architecture isn’t more popular than it is now is because it has a reputation for being somewhat pricey. Further complicating matters, aquatic architecture has strong ties to the green movement, which tends to emphasize expensive technology while placing more focus on conservation than profit. Continue reading…
Posted by Dabney B. on Monday, September 30th, 2013
Image from practicalaction.org
Aquatic architecture is incredibly advanced these days, producing wonders like floating schoolhouses and self-sufficient eco-homes. Despite the recent advances in technology, aquatic architecture isn’t a new invention — not by a longshot. Ancient civilizations masterfully utilized water to make their lives a little bit easier. My favorite example is the use of floating gardens by the ancient Aztecs.
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