Diverging from the uniform look of the typical urban jungle structure are several visionary architects who turn to nature for inspiration in creating their buildings. Instead of blocky, geometric looking structures, these architects created light, flowing, organically rounded shaped structures based on the shape of flowers. Wildflower has selected some of the most beautiful flower-inspired buildings from across the globe for you to discover.
Wuhan. Wuhan New Energy Centre. Photo: Soeters Van Eldonk
Calla Lily
Wuhan, China
Ascending into the sky in the shape of a large, gorgeous calla lily, on which this design is based, is the Wuhan Energy Flower building. Acknowledged as one of the most sustainable buildings in the world, this structure is Wuhan’s home office for the development and research of alternative energy sources. It’s curious that the architects looked to nature for inspiration on creating a new energy-efficient structure. Just like the calla lily flower, the roof of this structure tilts at an angle to give itself shade and keep the section below cooler on hot days. Also, with solar panels covering the surface of the roof, the energy provided by the sun’s rays is used to power the building. Additionally, the roof is curved so it can collect rainwater which is redistributed throughout the building for the restrooms and gardens. The pistil at the top has vertical wind turbines within it for harnessing the power of the wind as another energy source. The base of the flower tower has several research labs designed to look like calla lily’s leaves.
Lotus Blossom
Lotus Temple, Dehli
Lotus Temple view from above
Delhi, India
A large, beautiful lotus blossom stands out in an urban landscape paying homage to the glory of one of India’s most sacred flowers. The amazing structure, officially titled the Baha’i House of Worship, is designed to resemble the lotus flower and its beautiful symmetry. Three rows of 9 petals form the exterior. The top two levels curve in towards the interior dome while the lower level curves out and provide covered canopies above each entrance, of which there are 9. The surface is clad in white marble panels which adds a pristine, white shimmery quality to this beautiful flower structure. Inside the dome, there are no decorations or carvings, only the natural light and reflections of water from the outside reflection pools that dance across the surface. Open to all people of any faith or religion, this awesome temple uses nature in the form of sunlight and water, and the building itself, to capture the essence and wonder of creation.
ArtScience Museum in Singapore
ArtScience Museum from above
Singapore
A striking, radiating design built to appear light and airy, the ArtScience Museum is an amazing example of modern sustainable architecture. Based on the shape of a lotus blossom, there are ten petals at different heights that rise up in an elegant curving fashion. Each one houses a different art gallery, and the rectangular skylight at the top of each allows for natural sunlight to illuminate the galleries within. The dish-shaped roof has a circular opening for channeling rainwater into a beautiful waterfall seen on every floor of the building. It ends in a reflection pond on the lowest level. The rainwater is reused to supply water to the restrooms and exterior landscaping.
Lotus-inspired Motisons Tower
Nightly Light Show at Motisons Tower
Jaipur, India
Three large bejeweled lotus leaves sprout from the top of this structure in what has become a popular landmark for tourists in the city of Jaipur. Deep jewel-toned lotus leaves rimmed in gold hint at what lies within this famous jewelry store. At night, the leaves light up in an amazing display of LED colors that change in an endless variation based on the owner’s whim. Veins in a white crawl across the surface of the petals in a dynamic and organic fashion that is an exciting and wonderful spectacle to see.
