When most people think of a building, they’re not likely to think of one that’s flower-shaped. But that’s exactly what some of these extraordinary buildings look like. Modern architects are turning to nature for inspiration in designing buildings, especially green buildings. The flower and other natural formation are becoming more popular. Casas Adobes Flower Shop have put together a list of some of the most stunning flower-shaped buildings from across the globe.
Wuhan. Wuhan New Energy Centre. Photo: Soeters Van Eldonk
Calla Lily
Wuhan, China
Housing the Wuhan Energy Centre is the Wuhan Energy Flower building, which is one of the most sustainable buildings in the world and designed based on the beautiful and elegant calla lily flower. The calla lily shaped office tower is a vertical shaped structure that opens up into a large circular roof that is tilted at an angle. The reason for this is so that the roof itself provide shade to the offices underneath during the hottest days of summer. Also, as the roof faces the sun, the solar panels which cover the surface soak up the sun’s energy for use throughout the building. The structure has zero carbon emissions and uses no fossil fuels. What’ more, is that located within the pistil of the building are vertical wind turbines to harness and utilize the power of the wind. The roof also acts as a large basin to catch rainwater which is collected and redistributed throughout the building to be utilized in the restrooms and water the rooftop garden located on the 17th floor. At the base of the flower tower are leaf-shaped buildings which house the research laboratories.
Lotus Blossom
Lotus Temple, Dehli
Lotus Temple view from above
Delhi, India
The Lotus Temple in Delhi is a remarkable structure that is designed to look like a Lotus Blossom. Elegant and beautiful Lotus Blossom is sacred to India. This structure is composed of three rows of 9 petals each that encircle the interior dome. The top two rows curve inwards and the bottom row curves outward with each petal creating a canopy over 9 individual entrances. The exterior is clad in white marble panels that give the building a shimmery pristine look. Nine reflection pools greet visitors before each entrance. These pools of water not only provide cool fresh air within the temple but they also give the illusion that the Lotus Blossom is floating on water. This Temple can hold up to 2,500 people and welcomes all visitors from all different faiths and. There are no Idols or carvings within the temple that favors any one religion in particular and according to the Baha’i faith they believe in Oneness of all religions and Oneness of humankind.
ArtScience Museum in Singapore
ArtScience Museum from above
Singapore
This innovative structure is also based on the lotus flower but is asymmetrical in its design. With ten petals of varying heights creating a dynamic radiating design and the base of the structure underground, the flower part appears as if it’s floating above. Individual art galleries are housed in each of the 10 pedals. each one is also capped at the top by a rectangular Skylight to let in natural fun light to illuminate the galleries. The concave roof is also a Rainwater collection basin and through a central Oculus on the top rainwater is funneled through the center of the entire building in the form of a waterfall which ends in a reflection pond on the lowest level. The water is recycled to create an endless waterfall Loop while also providing water to the restrooms and landscaped areas.
Lotus-inspired Motisons Tower
Nightly Light Show at Motisons Tow
Jaipur, India
A famous jeweler in India, this is another design inspired by the lotus flower. Only instead of white this one consists of multicolored leaves in deep jewel tones to reflect what type of business it is. Giant Lotus leaves spring up from the building list three on each side of the rectangular base. during the day this striking structure is a showstopper especially with each Leaf rimmed and gold fiberglass. During the night however, the building really comes alive as bright LED lights illuminate the lotus petals and pulse with different colors while veins crawl across their surface In a dynamic and organic manner. Structure has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.
