Underwater buildings – are they even possible? They need feats of remarkable underwater engineering, and they aren’t cheap to build either. But then again, why should we limit ourselves to exploring only traditional buildings or mountain views? Architects are delving into a whole new world with brand new views. We have found 6 of the World’s most breathtaking underwater structures. These architectural gems are too compelling to forget, and so we will raise well-deserved attention to some that you might want to add to your next bucket list travel.
Under – The World’s Largest Underwater Restaurant
If you’re committed enough to drive to the Southern-most part of Norway – you will find something worth it. You’ll get treated to a unique meal, 5 meters “Under”. This architectural gem resembles a boulder breaking the surface of the sea. Guests can enjoy the view of a new perspective through the panoramic window which opens out to the water.
As a result of the unique view and high-class menu, “Under” was awarded the 2020 DOGA Award for Design and Architecture. Architects Snøhetta intended on connecting the guests and the sea. To do so, they managed to design the building to harmonize into its marine environment over time.
Source of the image: IvarKvaal https://hestagentur.no/ivar-kvaal/under-for-snohetta/
Underwater Room: The Manta Resort Tanzania
This bucket list-worthy hotel room offers a comfortable bed and a 360-degree panoramic underwater view. Located 250 meters off the coast of the remote island of Pemba, the Manta Resort’s underwater room is worth it. The 3-level floating structure offers LED Lights, to draw nocturnal fish and marine life to your window. This will give you the full underwater experience. Octopus and starfish are two of the many friendly guest visitors.
Source of the image: Photographer Anhede: https://anhede.se/sv/portfolio-items/destination-photography-manta-resort-underwater-room
Floating Seahorse Villas: The World Islands
Searching for a unique getaway? Ever heard of the Floating Seahorse Villas in The World Islands just off the coast of Dubai? It’s the perfect balance between privacy and seclusion, and a connected community environment. You’ll also catch a glimpse of the Dubai skyline and the Burj Khalifa. All 133 villas for sale on the island offer a triple level experience:
Sky
Sea
Underwater
The Kleindienst Group designed the villas for the ultimate experience of luxury living. For true luxury, a jacuzzi on the sky deck with a view of the Persian Gulf is a necessity. And who would you be without a panoramic window view to the underwater marine life? Don’t worry though! The bullet-proof windows protect residents from any sharks that swim by.
As the villas are designed for residents to live in, it was important to ensure the longevity of each villa’s structure. While the original plan was to build using steel, it was later confirmed that a marine-grade concrete will provide more than 100 years of extra life.
Source of the image: https://dxboffplan.com/properties/floating-sea-horse-villas-the-world-islands
Mile Low Club: Lover’s Deep St. Lucia Submarine
This elite location for big spenders is an exclusive and fresh take on romance – clearly the “mile high club” has become too mainstream! This submarine can be boarded either on the eastern Caribbean Sea – or the Atlantic Ocean. For 282,000 USD per night, this unique vessel will take off and allow you to explore the wonders of the sea from your hotel room. A butler, captain, and personal chef for freshly prepared gourmet meals – will join guests on board. Full privacy with your loved one (and a range of marine animals) is a guarantee.
Due to the exclusive nature of the venue, we only have a few photos of the lush exterior and interior of hotel rooms.
Source of the image: https://www.oliverstravels.com/blog/the-mile-low-club-olivers-travels-announces-its-most-exclusive-property-yet/
Huvafen Fushi: Underwater Spa
Think a spa day is all you need to relax and reset? Think again. This underwater spa will relax you on a far deeper level than the average spa. At the first and only underwater spa in the world, the HUVAFEN FUSHI Resort in the Maldives, you can regenerate your positive energy and experience rejuvenating treatments while 8 meters deep in the Indian Ocean.
The London-based architecture and design group used a set of colorful lights and curvature of the ceilings. This will give spa visitors a greater sense of relaxation. They also designed the floor to resemble that of the ocean, by using blue resin pebble tiles.
Image source: https://www.huvafenfushi.com/gallery/
MUSA: Cancún Underwater Museum
This underwater attraction is for divers and snorkelers. It offers them remarkable sculptures to explore. The museum can be visited while complying with marine conservation goals. It was named “one of the most successful marine conservation projects in the world”. The Cancún Underwater Museum (MUSA) displays more than 500 amazing structures made with pH-neutral cement.
To visiting tourists, MUSA is an innovative organization displaying underwater sculptures. The initial incentive yet, was to save coral reefs in the area. The cause of their damage was being a popular visit spot for snorkelers and divers. The Manchones Reef – the largest coral reef in Cancún, was particularly at the highest risk of damage. The type of cement used on the structures was well thought out. It allows coral, algae, and seaweed to grow and develop. This creates an ideal surface for artificial reefs, promoting more habitats for marine wildlife.
The sculptures exist at different levels. There are over 400 human figures portraying themselves interacting with the environment. Their emotions show the positive and negative impacts that are characterized on the damage humans create with nature. MUSA is effectively a distraction from natural reef formations. In turn, coral reefs are protected and natural formations are restored through reduced human impact.
Image source: https://musamexico.org/
The future of building underwater:
Although it is a theory right now, ocean colonization is an idea that is explored by many who want to make it work. With all modern advancements, an underwater village housing up to 100 people is possible. Larger populations will involve more technological advances to efficiently engineer enough control of air supply and effective emergency evacuations. Innovative ideas and plans have been explored in the last decade.
An especially innovative idea is the Lady Landfill Skyscraper. The idea was to build a skyscraper resembling an upside-down Eiffel tower. Waste from the Pacific Ocean would be used to generate energy for the building. The idea was developed by Milorad Vidojević, Jelena Pucarević and Milica Pihler, three innovative Serbian architects.
The main challenge and most important technological advancement needed for progress in building underwater structures, is to find a way to generate sufficient fresh oxygen supply, while being sustainable. Regulating underwater temperatures and the pressure that ocean depths put on human bodies, are also complications among many to keep in mind when engineering the fantasized underwater structures.
Underwater buildings: would you try them?
From an engineering point of view, building structures underwater that remain sturdy for long periods of time is highly challenging. Although there are many advancements now in the year 2022, a lot of projects are still in progress of understanding the underwater structures that architects envision for the future. Vincent Callebaut Architectures for instance has high hopes for fantasy-like underwater towns to house a new civilization in the not-so distant future. With the demand for building structures meters and meters underwater rising, PlanRadar will be the perfect companion to support all building progress and ensure quality and maximum efficiency each time, no matter how extravagant or deep in the oceans your plans may be.
