New design idea - Complex With Swimming Pool Balconies

I was amazed by an email a received from a friend. Yet again this was a creation from the East. These guys always surprise me by their creativity in design. The latest way that the super-rich are living better than all of us? They're getting swimming pools that also function as balconies. Some 3D shots to explain the "swimming pool balconies".

- A planned 37-story apartment complex -

"Ultimate urban luxury is the goal with these incredible suspended balcony pools. They are part of a conceptual apartment development for Mumbai, India designed by the James Law architecture firm. 

The pools appear to float out from each apartment's balcony, suspended seemingly in mid-air thanks to their transparent sides."

The pools may look enticing but, given the altitude, it might be best to avoid any raucous games of Sharks and Minnows. At least that's the concern of Gizmodo writer Jesus Diaz who called Hong Kong architect James Law's swimming pool-studded design a "deadly accident waiting to happen," The Daily Mail points out.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/04/aquaria-grande-mumbai-apartment-complex-swimming-pool-balconies_n_1403741.html

"Although the balcony pools are certainly the most striking element of this design, the additional features of the two apartment towers are impressive as well. 

The project is known as Aquaria Grande, probably because of its use of water as a central element.

A common pool area gives residents a place to congregate while swimming. 

After pool time is over a communal and sustainable podium garden provides another relaxing recreation area."

"Each apartment unit – there will be over 200 in all – is designed to allow for three-way cross ventilation and plenty of natural sunlight. The buildings’ energy-efficient glass facades are meant to reduce energy consumption and increase the overall eco-friendliness of this impressive residential development."

http://dornob.com/floating-jewels-ultra-luxurious-suspended-balcony-pools/?ref=search

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Some more design with similar swimming pool balconies.

All glory to the architect, James Law himself... An amazing creation but always considers the fact that 'seeing is believing' ... I'm waiting for my invite cause this one I want to experience!

Signage... do we design around them or include them?!

Signage … how much thought is put into signage when designing architectural ‘featured’ buildings.

These days, signage takes over. My question to those doing signage applications daily is:

Do you design your building taking into consideration where the sign would be placed, or do you design a building out of signage?

I came across a few interesting photos of signage that took over the building… if I can state it this way. 

"In These Stones, Horizons Sing’. Written in both Welsh and English, this sentence makes a bold statement on the facade of the Wales Millennium Center in Cardiff."

"The Minnaert Building, designed by Neutelings Riedijk and added to Utrecht University in 1997, uses the letters in ‘Minnaert’ to form columns, making them essential structural supports for the section of the building that juts out over a bicycle parking area."

"Fukutake House, a project started by seven of Japan’s leading art galleries, brings art to rural communities that tend to be isolated from it. Occupying a new location each year, Fukutake House reinvents itself annually, but its 2010 incarnation was more stunning than ever with a typographic installation covering the facade of the elementary school that the festival temporarily occupied."

"Though it may seem a bit sensationalistic, the word ‘TERROR’, which features prominently on the building’s overhanging roof, is a fitting name for a building with a horrifying history that is unfortunately all too real. Budapest’s House of Terror occupies 60 Andrassy Street, a building that was once leased by Hungarian Nazis and also housed two Communist organizations. All three used the basement as a torture chamber, and many people died there. When the sun hits it just right, the cutout in the metal overhang casts a sobering reminder of the building’s history upon its facade."

These are some of the buildings featured on the web page and is really something to look at.

Next time, take a few minutes before slapping a signage board on a prominent facade.

They made the marriage between signs and buildings possible so why can't we do the same.

http://weburbanist.com/2011/05/13/signs-of-the-times-13-architectural-signage-designs/?ref=search

New design idea - Under water hotel

If we stop for a minute to think about this, it sounds outrageous! Maybe land is not enough... think about taking the extra step...?
I was amazed by the new proposal of an underwater hotel in Dubai. Seems to me like a 'Sponge BoB Story' or another idea coming from some cartoon but after reading this I have to reconsider.

Plans have emerged for the construction of an underwater hotel in Dubai. The "Water Discus Hotel" would allow guests to sleep below the surface of the sea, offering a view of underwater life.

http://www.deep-ocean-technology.com/home/projects/underwater_hotel.html

The Water Discus Hotel would feature large disc-shaped buildings both above and below the water.

The underwater section is be 10 metres below the surface and would consist of 21 hotel rooms, a dive centre and a bar.

The hotel's "legs" would actually be lifts, transporting guests between the two sections.

The proposal is still in its infancy, but don't hold your breath - the hotel may never see the light of day. A similar project, entitled Hydropolis, was conceived in 2006, but no construction ever occured, while the "Poseidon Undersea Resort" (artist's impression, pictured) was due to open in Fiji in 2008, but plans appear to have been scrapped.

The Rangali Island Resort in the Maldives boasts an underwater suite and restaurant - and offers underwater wedding ceremonies.

And the Huvafen Fushi resort - also in the Maldives - has an underwater spa.

http://www.kiwicollection.com/hotel-detail/huvafen-fushi-resort-maldives

The argument still continues... When looking at the pictures above it is clearly visible that there was no dispute for the prime spot, perfect elevated erf or the beach front lot itself. 

Unfortunately this is a challenging one, I always considered the sea a 'no-mans-land'...

So how would we go about to do this or is it also just a pretty picture?!