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Seven self-sufficient underwater structures

Underwater structures

With the rise in sea level on account of climatic changes threatening coastal cities worldwide, need for underwater or floating architectures and cities is presently being felt more compared to ever before. Keeping in mind that water covers 71 percent of the surface of the Earth, which in the future is likely to augment because of environmental changes, underwater cities or skyscrapers enter the picture and provide ray of hope for sustaining life on earth. Underwater skyscrapers water oriented location, self-sustainability and volumetric attributes can serve humanity aptly in post-apocalyptic circumstances. Here is a list of 7 underwater structures that are self-sufficient:

1. Water-Scraper: Underwater Architecture

Water-ScraperThe water scraper functions as in the sea as self-sufficient ambassadors. It is an independent floating unit of functional, self sustaining and livable space that will function as floating city in collective manner. Being self sufficient, it produces its own power by means of wave, current, wind, bio, solar among others. It also produces its own food via farming, hydroponics and aquaculture. The Water-Scraper programme’s main components comprises of resource generation, work, living, waste treatment, play and maintenance. The building has been kept upright with the help of balancing tanks and ballast system.

2. Gyre – A self-sufficient underwater tower to boost eco-tourism

Gyre

Zigloo’s Gyre is an abstract floating development designed in the form of an underwater skyscraper. It will collectively bring vacationers and scientists for understanding the ocean, that too devoid of polluting its subtle ecosystem. The development peeking at 400m depth will offer space for working environment and comfortable living including space for restaurants, shops, recreation and gardens. The unique design of the Gyre will allow integration of systems for harvesting renewable energy via sun, wind and tides. The Gyre will also generate solar energy through windows via glass printed range of solar cells.

3. Dubai’s Blue Crystal Floating Iceburg lodge

Blue Crystal Floating

Following Russia and Canada, Dubai too is getting its first ice lodge called Blue Crystal. With respect to the total energy required for keeping man made iceberg in scorching summers less than 32 degrees on Persian Gulf, the Blue Crystal hyped as sustainable is indeed amusing to hear. Dubai architectures growing trend seems being the creation of utmost in luxury yet of the improbable, impossible and downright outrageous. The arid desert climate in Dubai does not lend it easily to ice sculptures particularly luxury entertainment with 6 stories including underwater ballroom and lounge. The Blue Crystal has been claimed by German design duo Sven Sauer and Frank of harnessing the natural energy sources of the world thereby keeping them self-sufficient.

4. Great Pacific Garbage PatchUnderwater Skyscrapers

Great Pacific Garbage

Water bodies and oceans on planet have off late turned dumping grounds as has been evidenced by Great Pacific Great Patch. Luckily an awakening is taking place with people becoming conscious of both the ecology and the environment. Underwater skyscraper will majestically float in water and collect all garbage it can locate. The lowest section of the tower will store the collected garbage and then send the garbage for recycling at middle portion.

5. Self-sufficient AQVA habitat

AQVA habitat

The AQVA habitat designed by Theodora Christoforidou and Abel Patacho is an exclusive structure which weaves a good relationship among upper environment and the underwater via water dynamics cycle. This habitat behaves like double structure machine designed to function as both space generator as well as water purification system for adjusting, characterizing and modifying an environment. Being energy-efficient, this habitat includes hexagonal components which combine together for creating an area of social interaction. The AQVA habitat is a space which is both aesthetically appealing and sustainable for urban living.

6. Sub-Biosphere 2: Self-sustainable underwater habitat

Sub-Biosphere 2

Phil Pauley, UK-based designer inspired by USA’s Biosphere 2 project has designed a self-sustainable aquatic habitat called Sub-Biosphere 2. This underwater city comprises of 8 living biomes adjoining a big central biome that houses equipment to sustain all life support systems like air, water, electricity, food and other resources by means of innovative control of alternative atmospheric pressure on all depths including ocean floor.

7. Self-sufficient Undersea Scraper harmonizes with nature

Undersea Scraper

Spanish architects Ifigeneia Arvaniti and Higinio Llames have come up with an autonomous underwater tower called Undersea Scraper. This habitat understands the necessity to live in harmony along with nature in sustainable ways. This self-sufficient tower produces energy from renewable sources for interacting with surroundings for generating tidal power. The top dome produces renewable energy by means of wind turbines and onboard photovoltaic generators. This tower has been designed for submerging or floating by means of its double skin which acts as ballast tank, to control the weight by allowing air as well as water out.

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