Butterfly pavilion by German studio 3deluxe clad with 4,000 golden aluminium flowers
A German architecture firm, an Austrian artist and a Sharjah-based development company in the UAE have joined forces to open a butterfly-themed landscape park.
Al Noor Island, located in Sharjah’s Khalid Lagoon, has been developed by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) to “redefine the very meaning of an Arab city”.
The culture and leisure park – which was officially opened by Sharjah's ruler, Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi – features a wide ensemble of themed pavilions, attractions, buildings and musical soundscapes masterplanned by artist, poet, singer and actor André Heller to create a multi-sensory experience.
At the heart of the 45,500sq m (489,700sq ft) island is a striking butterfly pavilion created by architects 3deluxe and Dubai-based engineers Waagner Biro Gulf. The structure – covered in a special golden paint that can withstand high temperatures, UV radiation, salty air and sandstorms – features a twisting, ornamental rooftop formed of 4,000 differently-shaped aluminium leaves.
Inside is a 230sq m (2,400sq ft) artificial ecosystem and rainforest habitat populated with more than 500 butterflies and thousands of tropical plants. A transparent façade and organically shaped skylights offer views out and into the roof structure, which acts as a leafy tropical canopy casting the rainforest in shade.
A modern food lounge, shaped like a giant water lily, sits within the pavilion with ornamentally-patterned floors matching the roof, and dividing walls designed to resemble fallen petals. Furnishings have been created by Spanish firm Candido Hermida.
The roof itself – spread over 800sq m (8,600sq ft) and reaching a height of 13m (42.6ft) – is formed of three prefabricated interlocking sections constructed by engineering firm Seele Middle East. The entire structure rests on only nine points and three pillars that branch upwards like tree trunks.
Individually-controllable LED dots built into the roof are illuminated at night, creating flowing pre-programmed light patterns designed to emulate the motion of butterflies.
“The shape and design of the pavilion’s biomorphic outer shell are the product of an intense formal exploration of parametric design strategies in dialogue with traditional Arabian ornamentation,” said 3deluxe in a statement. “Natural and artificial materials and moods blend into a visually and emotionally condensed overall picture.
“Technology and nature, light and shadow and modern and traditional architecture fuse into a complex spatial experience.”
The park also features a Literature Pavilion celebrating Arabic calligraphy, a children's playground, a running track and a pedestrian bridge and marina that provide transport links to the Sharjah mainland.
Further attractions are to be added throughout 2016, including several commissioned sculptures from Heller and other artists.
Shurooq is responsible for a number of tourism developments in Sharjah – including the ongoing US$136m (€125m, £94.4m) Sir Bu Nuair Island eco-tourism project – that it expects will enhance the status of the city.
In a statement, the organisation’s chair, Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, said: “We envision a modern city that embraces progress while staying true to its values and traditions. We desire to create authentic destinations that are committed to enhancing quality of life. We endeavour to foster an environment where ideas can flourish and businesses thrive.”
Butterflies 3deluxe architecture design biosphere Sharjah Shurooq UAE Andre HellerJRA masterplan AED20bn Sharjah Waterfront City's Crystal Lagoon Water Theme Park
Planetarium nears opening in UAE's Sharjah emirate
Al Montazah Park becomes Sharjah's first waterpark
Al Bait traditional hotel breaks ground in Heart of Sharjah
Sharjah beach resort opens after major revamp
Mega ecotourism project mooted for Sharjah
Shurooq unveils Sir Bu Nuair Island eco-tourism project in Sharjah
First traditional Emirati five-star hotel to debut in the Heart of Sharjah
Khorfakkan Resort and Spa scheme unveiled
Hilton to launch in Sharjah
Starwood to debut in Sharjah and Miami
Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World celebrates 25th birthday
Future Gardens open at Butterfly World
Sharjah Maritime Museum opens
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Designing an eco hotel for the Galapagos Islands that allowed the stunning natural surroundings to take centre stage while minimising its impact on the land presented its own unique set of challenges, Ecuadorian architect Humberto Plaza tells Kathryn Hudson
Across Denmark, a charity is turning industrial buildings into centres for street sport and art. As the concept prepares to go global, we speak to the people making it happen