Forward-thinking designer Hayri Atak Architectural Design Studio (HAADS) has revealed details of a new doughnut-shaped “Eco-Floating Hotel” it plans to develop in Qatar.
No, it’s not an April Fool’s Day stunt, with details of the project unveiled by the Turkish design studio in mid-March on social media and continuing to grow in interest.
The core element of the project is a floating five-star hotel with 152 rooms with private balconies overlooking the sea that spins under the flow of water currents, coupled with thrusters and turbines, creating a whirlpool.
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The movement not only creates electrical energy but also means the view from guest rooms will change throughout the day – or as HAADS’ puts it, a “permanent panorama of perspective”. It will take a full 24 hours to spin a complete revolution.
Additionally, the hotel will generate electricity via solar and wind power.
As all the hotel’s platforms, including the pier to the mainland, are floating the hotel “will be rented periodically” and can be relocated to the desired area after obtaining the flow it needs.
Hotel guest facilities will include both indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, gym, basketball court, mini-golf course and more.
A funnel-shaped roof will collect rainwater which will be used as grey water. (Ironically, Qatar receives less than 100mm of rain annually). The funnel also forms the centrepiece of the 700 square-metre lobby.
The hotel will offer three different guest entry points to provide access from land at any time of the day via the “140-degree pier that surrounds itself,” the designer said.
The pier will feature two jetties and a helipad for VIP arrival and departure by helicopter and drone.
HAADS has been working on the project since last year and is currently undertaking “feasibility and technical studies” on the project.
A specific location for the hotel has not been revealed, however the design company said it envisages the concept to be built on “Qatar’s coastal waters”.
“Although there is no exact date for the completion of these works, the completion date of the structure is aimed at 2025,” the company said.
Hayri Atak Architectural Design Studio also notes that the hotel has the potential to be located in different parts of the world
Late last year, HAADS also unveiled its vision for the “Squall Tower”, a skyscraper that would spin on its axis using wind-power, taking 48-hours to complete a full revolution.
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All renderings courtesy of Hayri Atak Architectural Design Studio.