Underwater ‘Discus Hotel’ to be built off Maldives
by Aoife Dowling | 24 Jun 2013
A luxury, multi-million dollar underwater resort will be built off the tropical island of Kuredhivaru in the Maldives, instead of Dubai as originally planned.
Backed by Swiss investors, the US$50m (€38m, £32m) project is the brainchild of Polish company Deep Ocean Technology.
The Water Discus Hotel, which has the go-ahead from the National Ministry of Tourism, will feature 21 rooms in the heart of coral reefs. It will comprise two large disc-shaped lounges seven-meters above the water housing a restaurant and spa.
The lounges are connected to a glass tunnel 30 meters below the water, which leads to 21 bedrooms.
The two parts of the structure are connected by five legs and a vertical shaft containing a lift and stairway. Facilities will include a helicopter landing pad and rooftop swimming pool.
A luxury, multi-million dollar underwater resort will be built off the tropical island of Kuredhivaru in the Maldives, instead of Dubai as originally planned. Backed by Swiss investors, the US$50m (€38m, £32m) project is the brainchild of Polish company Deep Ocean Technology. The Water Discus Hotel, which has the go-ahead from the National Ministry of Tourism, will feature 21 rooms in the heart of coral reefs. It will comprise two
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White Arkitekter's Wood Hotel in Skellefteå Swedish Lapland is climate positive and made from local timber
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The Grand Egyptian Museum is set to finally open its doors after a design and construction project which has taken more than 20 years to complete. Touted as the world's most anticipated museum – thanks to both its unique design and the treasures it will house – the attraction was first announced to the world in 2001. A design competition in 2002 received more than 1,500 entries, from which Heneghan
Nike's Serena Williams Building, designed by Skylab, follows the concept of flow
by Tom Walker | 08 Aug 2022
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by Frances Marcellin | 06 Jul 2022
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Juneteenth Museum by Bjarke Ingels Group has been designed to inspire spiritual uplift
by Tom Walker | 22 Jun 2022
Detailed plans have been revealed for the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, US. Designed by architects Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the 50,000sq ft visitor attraction will anchor a larger mixed-use development on the Historic Southside of Fort Worth. It will explore the events of June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger issued Order No. 3, in essence declaring that “all slaves are free” in the state of
BIG and HOK's timber concept wins Zurich Airport competition
by Tom Walker | 20 Jun 2022
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Christoph Ingenhoven reveals Lanserhof Sylt, featuring the largest thatched roof in Europe
by Megan Whitby | 09 Jun 2022
Medical spa brand, Lanserhof Group, has welcomed the first guests to its all-new coastal health resort on the German island of Sylt. With plans for the 55-key property first revealed in 2017, Lanserhof has invested more than €120m (US$128.6m, £102.6m) to bring the property to fruition. Currently in a soft opening phase, Lanserhof Sylt joins the group’s four other properties: the original, Lans, in the Tyrol region of Austria; Lanserhof
BIG's designs Prague concert hall to be vibrant centre of life
by Tom Walker | 18 May 2022
Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) have been selected as the architect for the Vltava Philharmonic Hall in Prague, Czech Republic. The first national concert hall to be built in the country in 100 years, the venue will be the home of the famous Prague Symphony Orchestra and will have an audience capacity of more than 1,800. BIG – which won an international competition between 19 other architectural practices to secure the
Mather & Co-designed Gretna Green Experience opens to the public
by Tom Walker | 10 May 2022
A visitor attraction celebrating the history of the Scottish parish of Gretna Green – and its heritage as a destination for 'runaway marriages – has opened to the public. Gretna Green, located just inside Scotland on the border with England, first became famous for its weddings nearly 260 years ago, following the Clandestine Marriages Act 1753. The act prevented couples under the age of 21 from marrying in England or
Project to save last major bellfoundry which cast bells for St Paul's and Washington National Cathedral
by Tom Walker | 28 Apr 2022
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World’s first living waterslides announced for Therme Manchester
by Tom Walker | 25 Apr 2022
Therme Manchester – the £250m indoor ‘next generation’ waterpark, thermal bathing and a wellbeing spa, opening in 2025 – will include the world's first "living waterslides". The waterslides are part of the resort's focus on biophilic design and will feature 3D-printed structures housing thousands of biodiverse plants. Thanks to their design, the slides will be made to look like tree trunks, with plants growing out of them. Due to its
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