Deviating from the uniform look of a typical urban jungle structure are a few visionary architects who turn to nature for inspiration in creating their flower-inspired buildings. Instead of blocky, geometric, heavy-looking structure, these architects created light, flowing, organically rounded shaped structures which are jaw-droppingly beautiful. Gordon Boswell Florist has selected some of the most striking 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, stylized calla lily, on which this design is based, is the Wuhan Energy Flower building. Known to be one of the most sustainable buildings in the world, this structure is Wuhan’s home office for the research and development of alternative energy sources. It is interesting 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 provide itself shade and keep the offices below cooler on the hottest days of summer. Also, with solar panels covering the surface, the energy provided by the sun’s rays is used to power the building. Additionally, the roof collects rainwater which is redistributed throughout the building for the restrooms and garden on the 17th floor. The pistil at the top houses vertical wind turbines 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 the calla lily’s leaves.
Lotus Blossom
Lotus Temple, Dehli
Lotus Temple view from above
Delhi, India
A stunning lotus blossom stands out in an urban landscape filled with mundane blocky architecture. The amazing structure, officially the Baha’i House of Worship, is designed to resemble the lotus flower and its beautiful symmetry. Three rows of 9 petals each make up the exterior of this structure. The top two levels curve in towards the interior dome while the lower level curves out and provides covered canopies above each entrance, of which there are 9. The exterior is clad in white marble panels which adds a pristine, white shimmery quality to this beautiful flower structure. Inside the dome are no decorations or carvings, only the natural light, and reflections from the water that dance across the surface. Open to all people of any faith or religion, this awesome temple pays homage to the creator and uses nature in the form of sunlight and water, and the building itself, to capture the essence 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 what modern architecture can do. Based on the form 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 creating a beautiful waterfall seen on every floor of the building. It ends in a reflection pond on the lowers 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 trimmed in gold indicate what lies within this famous jewelry store. At night, the leaves light up in an amazing display of LED colors which 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.
