Architecture

Eco-Floating Hotel puts ambitious spin on sustainable design

Eco-Floating Hotel puts ambitious spin on sustainable design
The Eco-Floating Hotel would be connected to the shore with a pier
The Eco-Floating Hotel would be connected to the shore with a pier
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The Eco-Floating Hotel would get some of its power from wind turbines and solar panels
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The Eco-Floating Hotel would get some of its power from wind turbines and solar panels
The Eco-Floating Hotel is envisioned for Qatar, though designer HAADS says it could be installed in other suitable areas too
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The Eco-Floating Hotel is envisioned for Qatar, though designer HAADS says it could be installed in other suitable areas too
The Eco-Floating Hotel would be connected to the shore with a pier
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The Eco-Floating Hotel would be connected to the shore with a pier
As well as the pier, the Eco-Floating Hotel would be reachable by boat or helicopter
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As well as the pier, the Eco-Floating Hotel would be reachable by boat or helicopter
The Eco-Floating Hotel would measure 35,000 sq m (376,000 sq ft) and contain a total of 152 hotel rooms
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The Eco-Floating Hotel would measure 35,000 sq m (376,000 sq ft) and contain a total of 152 hotel rooms
The Eco-Floating Hotel is inspired by a vortex and its big glass roof is reminiscent of Moshe Safdie's Jewel Changi Airport
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The Eco-Floating Hotel is inspired by a vortex and its big glass roof is reminiscent of Moshe Safdie's Jewel Changi Airport
Though this animation shows the Eco-Floating Hotel spinning like a record, it would actually rotate at a sedate speed and take 24 hours to complete a revolution
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Though this animation shows the Eco-Floating Hotel spinning like a record, it would actually rotate at a sedate speed and take 24 hours to complete a revolution
View gallery - 7 images

Qatar isn't exactly lacking in notable architecture but a new floating hotel would certainly be a head-turning addition to the Middle Eastern country. Named the Eco-Floating Hotel, the project would rotate in place like a revolving restaurant and boast wind, solar, and tidal sustainability features.

The Eco-Floating Hotel is designed by Hayri Atak Architectural Design Studio (HAADS) and would measure 35,000 sq m (376,000 sq ft), with a total of 152 rooms. It takes the form of a big glass doughnut with greenery integrated into its exterior and also resembles Moshe Safdie's indoor waterfall with its huge vortex-like glass roof.

The hotel would be situated just off the shore and supported on a series of floating platforms. The rotation action would move very slowly so as to not make guests dizzy and would take 24 hours to complete a revolution. This movement would be controlled by a dynamic positioning system, as used to help keep ships on the correct course, and would consist of a series of thrusters and propellers.

Access to the hotel itself would be gained by a pier connected to the shore, or by helicopter or boat. Its interior would be centered around a lobby, with its 152 hotel rooms boasting luxury amenities like private balconies, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sauna, spa, and gym.

Though this animation shows the Eco-Floating Hotel spinning like a record, it would actually rotate at a sedate speed and take 24 hours to complete a revolution
Though this animation shows the Eco-Floating Hotel spinning like a record, it would actually rotate at a sedate speed and take 24 hours to complete a revolution

The sustainability features envisioned for this one are as ambitious as its spinning design. The vortex shape of the roof would be used to collect rainwater for irrigating the greenery and other uses, while solar panels and wind turbines would be used to provide power.

Additionally, the water current would be harnessed with some kind of tidal energy system as the hotel turns and produce power in a way that's similar to a dynamo, the firm told us.

HAADS says that feasibility and technical studies are currently ongoing to try and realize the design by 2025, so we wouldn't recommend booking a flight to Qatar just yet – best to wait and see if this one pans out.

Source: HAADS

View gallery - 7 images
5 comments
5 comments
clay
That's a BIG helicopter. ;-P

The spinning thing.. what's the purpose?
paul314
If it spins on a 24-hour cycle, that means it maintains the same orientation to the sun. Sunny stays sunny, and shaded stays shaded. Which might be good, might be bad in a hot desert climate.
Douglas Rogers
It is a prelude to a rotating space station!
buzzclick
Whatever it is, this design is lame. Another "Eco" project pretending to be something it ain't.
Daishi
I can tell you right now if they are planning to use wind turbines to make power the turbines will not be on site. Micro turbines are completely useless and large scale wind turbines (while effective) are massive and could not really be installed at the site especially considering the helipad. It's completely possible and even likely that they are pulling grid power from from green energy sources like wind turbines located elsewhere but that doesn't have much to do with the design of the facility itself. Outside of that the concept seems interesting. It would be neat to see the details of how they support and rotate the building. Does it float? Does it have moving parts that support the weight of the facility? How they connect to utilities etc.