Lotus-dwelling Lyiang China

The municipality of Leeuwarden has an alliance with Lyiang, China, for many years. In this context we designed self-sufficient floating dwellings, which have the shape of a Lotus flower. Main goal is a sustainable development of the area. An area with a minimum of CO2 emission, use of natural sources without exhausting them and without producing any litter. The plan subscribed below makes it possible to produce an energy-surplus with the use of natural sources only. The cycles will be closed, organic or technologic, whereby hardly any waste will be formed.

The natural elements play the leading part in cooling, heating and generating power for the dwellings. Also in re-use by natural purification the natural element plays the leading part. The shape of the dwelling is inspired by nature. Because water plays the leading role within a sustainable living, it is obvious we make floating dwellings.
In China the Lotus symbolizes purity and beauty. In reality it has a purifying function of the water.
The main shape of the dwelling is based on the Lotus with the calyx as the heart of the living and the leaves are for protection and controlling the influence of natural sources. Some of them are flexible and can control the sun’s influence, others are fixed and function as water purifiers or purify with plants that grow on the basis of these leaves. The dwelling is designed in a way that keeps the Chinese hot summer-sun out by creating shade with the leaves and at the same time collect the sun-energy and sun-warmth that then can be used in the colder nights by closing the leaves again.
The ‘lotus-effect’ is the symptom that appears when dirt or water touches the lotus. It doesn’t stick but runs down immediately. Micro- and nano-structures on the surface make this happen. This self-purifying quality makes this water-plant the symbol of purity and serves as an example for the transparent core of the dwelling. The effect is a metaphor for collecting water and water use and as an example for a maintenance-poor design.

Ordering party: municipality of Lyiang
Location: Lyiang, China
Collaboration partners: municipality of Leeuwarden, E-kwadraat, Wetsus and Hunter Douglas
Realization: unknown

.