BE OPEN BLOG

Nature’s organic forms have long inspired artists and designers, and now, architects are embracing the petal shape in innovative ways. These petal-shaped buildings showcase how this elegant form can be used to create structures that are both beautiful and functional. Each project provides a unique take on sustainability, technology, and design, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in modern architecture.

Located in the serene village of El Cuyo, Yucatán, Mexico, The Trillium Awakening by NOD Studio presents a captivating example of nature-inspired architecture. This villa, designed as part of the Awakening Sanctuary retreat, embodies a commitment to sustainability and comfort, harmoniously blending with its verdant surroundings. The core of the structure is a stunning bamboo dome, its organic form mirroring the adjacent jungle and showcasing the architects’ nature-focused approach. This central feature not only provides structural support through its bamboo columns but also utilizes locally sourced plaster and stone for the petal-shaped roofs and flooring, firmly rooting the design within its regional context.

The design of The Trillium Awakening prioritizes energy efficiency and natural comfort, demonstrating an innovative approach to sustainable hospitality. The villa incorporates cross-ventilation to eliminate the need for air conditioning, while passive lighting strategies are used to maximize natural light and reduce the reliance on artificial sources. This careful planning ensures that the building operates in harmony with the environment, minimizing its ecological impact while providing an enjoyable and comfortable experience for guests.

Visitors are immediately drawn to the bamboo-encased spiral staircase, which acts as the central functional and symbolic element of the villa. Diffusing natural light throughout the interiors, the staircase seamlessly connects the social and private spaces. This element highlights NOD Studio’s commitment to creating spaces that are not only visually appealing but also enhance the overall experience through thoughtful design.

The bedrooms in The Trillium Awakening offer tranquil retreats, designed with relaxation and sustainability in mind. Large windows frame immersive views of the surrounding jungle, creating a sense of unity between the indoor and outdoor spaces. Private bathrooms are finished with natural materials to add to the feeling of connection with nature. These bedrooms lead effortlessly into the villa’s communal areas, designed to foster connection and relaxation. The swimming pool and jacuzzi, positioned at the edge of the property, offer uninterrupted views of the environment, while a spacious deck with lounge chairs enhances the experience, inviting guests to unwind amidst nature. The Trillium Awakening stands as a testament to how sustainable design can be both luxurious and deeply rooted in its natural setting.

Designed by T. Y. Lin International Engineering Consulting (China) Co., Ltd., the Comprehensive Service Center for the 2024 Chengdu International Horticultural Expo stands as a testament to innovative and sustainable design. Serving as the main gateway to the Expo Park, this structure embodies the event’s values while reflecting Chengdu’s rich cultural heritage. Inspired by Chengdu’s symbolic Hibiscus flower, which is also the Expo’s themed flower, and the historic ‘Han Que’ gates, the center features a striking ‘Blooming Hibiscus’ form. This design not only creates a stunning entrance but also seamlessly integrates with nature, embodying the city’s vision of a ‘Park City, Beautiful Habitat.’

The Comprehensive Service Center’s design goes beyond its functional role during the Expo. Spanning 5,473 sqm, it comprises three mega canopies and two buildings, thoughtfully organized to offer a variety of services. Building A houses commercial and cultural amenities, including shops and restaurants, while Building B caters to administrative needs with ticketing, visitor services, and a multipurpose hall. The petal-like canopies, ranging from 14 to 16 meters high and 40 to 55 meters in diameter, present an impressive yet inviting spectacle. This form was not just chosen for aesthetics, the hyperbolic asymmetrical shapes of the canopies were optimized using smart structural and parametric solutions, ensuring material efficiency, precision, and reduced construction time.

Aligned with the Expo’s commitment to sustainability, T. Y. Lin International Engineering Consulting (China) Co., Ltd. incorporated several eco-friendly features into the center. A rainwater harvesting system is in place for irrigation and agricultural use. A smart glazed roof and inner atrium enhance daylighting and airflow, reducing the reliance on energy-consuming artificial lighting and cooling systems. The integration of digital design and construction processes achieved a 22.5% reduction in construction costs and a 40% decrease in construction time, demonstrating how advanced technology can support sustainable and efficient building practices.

The petal shaped canopies provide shaded, open areas, creating a welcoming atmosphere while promoting natural ventilation. The interior design maximizes natural light through a smart glazed roof, further reducing energy consumption. This thoughtful approach emphasizes both the aesthetic and functional aspects of sustainable design. The use of a lightweight tensile membrane on the canopies enhances their visual appeal, allowing for natural light and ventilation. Beyond its role during the Expo, the Comprehensive Service Center is designed for long-term use as a community hub. After the event, the park will be transformed into a dynamic destination blending culinary, cultural, and recreational attractions. The center itself will integrate with local commercial activities and offer diverse services, including cafes, bookstores, cultural exhibitions, and health workshops.

Lotus by the Xiangjiang River, a collaboration between line+ studio and RoboticPlus.AI, pioneers dynamic architecture on Changsha’s Xiang River. This project integrates interdisciplinary technologies, pushing spatial boundaries with its adaptive design that responds to changing needs for viewing, privacy, and public interaction.

The building’s design concept involves a main space elevated for viewing and meetings, which can transform via deployable elements, creating presentation and concealment space. Utilizing an industrial design approach, line+ studio created a structure that integrates both main space and movable mechanical components. The building features a deployable skin divided into nine sections, each optimized for function and aesthetics based on overlap and opening angles. These ‘petals’, consisting of four outer and five inner pieces with rounded hexagonal edges, are constructed using a transparent ETFE membrane. The observation hall, with its double-curved glass exterior, ascends from the corridor to the rooftop level, allowing for panoramic views when the skin unfolds, and descends to form a private, enclosed space when the skin contracts.

The architectural ingenuity of this project lies not only in its aesthetic appeal but also in its complex load-bearing system, which ensures stability while facilitating its dynamic movements. The design integrates a steel structure, glass curtain walls, and MEP components seamlessly. Columns are integrated with the glass curtain wall mullions to create a unified system, and firefighting, drainage, and other utilities are routed through minimal stress points within this column system. The roof system accommodates windows, smoke extraction, firefighting, and ventilation, showcasing the project’s holistic engineering approach. This complex and interdisciplinary approach allowed the architects to create a seamless integration of structure and functionality.

The movement of the building is achieved through a ‘hydraulic scissor brace + flexible column’ system. This system ensures stability, comfort, and safety while maintaining the ease of use. The deployable skin is also controlled by an intelligent linkage system, which enables different levels of petal opening based on programmed settings. This system allows the structure to respond dynamically to specific spatial requirements, whether for presentation, privacy, or simply to allow for unobstructed panoramic views of the river and surrounding environment. Interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced technologies, including digital design optimization and automated factory production, were crucial to the project’s successful outcome.

Central to the project’s success was interdisciplinary knowledge exchange. line+ and RoboticPlus.AI utilized full-process digital design optimization, intelligent factory component production, and prefabricated installation. The digital tools integrated Rhino and Revit with RoBIM software to simulate model installation, resulting in a highly precise BIM model (LOD400) that directly connected to automated production. This virtual planning optimized construction sequences and ensured a streamlined building process. The Lotus by the Xiangjiang River showcases the potential of responsive architecture and highlights the impact of technology in creating dynamic, engaging, and functional spaces that integrate with the surrounding environment.