Turning to nature for inspiration, some modern architects have focused on the flower as their muse for designing a building. Not only because of a flower’s particular symbolism but also because of its beautiful organic symmetry which can now be replicated in building materials thanks to advancements in technology. Therefore, in the 21st century, we’ve seen a rise in flower-inspired and flower-shaped buildings, which Bosland’s Flower Shop have compiled for you here.
Wuhan. Wuhan New Energy Centre. Photo: Soeters Van Eldonk
Calla Lily
Wuhan, China
Wuhan’s New Energy Centre, which is a research institute for researching and developing new sources of energy and sustainability, is designed in the shape of the Calla Lily. Innovative, artistic, and extremely functional, the Energy Flower building is considered to be the world’s most efficient and sustainable building – it is also the largest green building in China. The base of the flower structure has leaf-shaped buildings where the research labs are located. Rising from the base is a tower with office buildings. The petal-shaped roof is tilted at an angle to provide shade to the offices below and to face the sun and captures the energy of its rays with solar panels which cover the roof’s surface. The vertical pistil houses wind turbines for harnessing the power of the wind and provide natural air ventilation to the occupants of the tower. It’s amazing that such a striking and zero-carbon emissions, energy-efficient building is designed from the humble yet majestic calla lily.
Lotus Blossom
Lotus Temple, Dehli
Lotus Temple view from above
Delhi, India
Inspired by the shape of a lotus blossom, a flower sacred to India, the architects created a glorious and elegantly symmetrical house of worship that is open to all people, regardless of faith or religious beliefs. Nine petals in 3 rows encircle the interior dome and create the lotus blossom shape. The top two rows curve inward while the bottom row curve outward and each petal creates a canopied open above each of the nine entrances. The exterior is covered in white marble panels giving the structure a pristine and shimmery effect. Surrounding the temple are nine reflection pools shaped like the lotus blossom’s leaves and also give the illusion of the temple floating on water. The interior has 54 ribs that imitate the shape of the lotus flower and nine arches which provides the structural support for the massive dome. The apex of the dome has decorative skylights that resemble what it looks like when the sun enters a real lotus blossom. With no sculptures, carvings, or pictures you most likely see inside other temples, the only decoration within the Lotus Temple is the reflection of light and water from the pools. An homage to the perfection of nature as well as the Oneness of Religions, it’s no wonder this temple is one of the most visited structures in the world.
Supertrees at Gardens By the Bay
Singapore
A remarkable nature park, structures that resemble flowering plants, trees, and flowers exist throughout.
Hymenocallis inspired Burj Khalifa Tower
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
This amazing building’s design is inspired by the tiger lily flower.
