The lotus is one of the most potent symbols in Chinese culture, representing purity, enlightenment, and good fortune. Soon, thanks to PLaT Architects,  it could also become a symbol of innovative architecture and luxury vacationing! The Asian architecture firm has recently unveiled plans for its Lotus Hotel — a sprawling resort nestled in China’s Xiangshawan Desert. Located more than 500 miles from Beijing, the hotel will be built with local materials — well, as local as the middle of the desert can get — and will not use water or concrete during construction. The final structure will include petal-like canopies arranged in a circular bloom. Read more!

The building’s steel base, prefabricated and placed into the sand, will act as a giant sandbox that collects fluid sands that help fix the structure to the ground and stay stabilized. Load-bearing walls help hold up one another while keeping pressure off the base. Dozens of triangular pedal shaped panels fan out across the structure like a lotus to provide shade and protection from the elements, including the scorching desert sun.

The project is just part of a larger desert plan by PLaT Architects, who hope to create many more buildings that will generate their own electricity and water. These future net-zero, desert compounds will truly test the sustainability of PLaT’s designs.

Images: courtesy of PLaT Architects

[via archdaily]

by Molly Cotter

posted in Uncategorized

tagged china, Desert, hotels, Lotus Hotel, net zero, PLaT Architects, sustainability, sustainable design

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