From Georgia O’Keefe to Vincent van Gogh, flowers have attracted certain creative minds and become the subject of their artwork. In architecture, it is no different. There are those architects who are in tune with nature and inspired by the flower to the point they designed buildings to resemble them. Adrian Durban Florist has rounded up the best of the best of these amazing floral-inspired structures.
Wuhan. Wuhan New Energy Centre. Photo: Soeters Van Eldonk
Calla Lily
Wuhan, China
One of the most stunning, flower-shaped buildings in the world, the Wuhan Energy Flower is also one of the most advanced, state-of-the-art energy efficient buildings in the world. With zero net carbon emissions and zero fossil-fuel energy consumed, this structure is also the largest green building in China. Inspired by the Calla Lily, the building has an overhanging roof to provide shade and keep the main office building cool during the hot summers. The face of the flower is tilted towards the sun and covered with solar panels to generate electricity. Within the “pistil” vertical tower are wind turbines that generate energy. There is also a rainwater collection system in place that provides water to toilets and the rooftop garden. The Calla Lily is a symbol of hope, prosperity, and greatness, which has definitely been achieved with this amazing building.
Lotus Blossom
Lotus Temple, Dehli
Lotus Temple view from above
New Delhi, India
Designed in the shape of India’s sacred flower, the Lotus Blossom, the Baha’i House of Worship is one of the most visited buildings in the world. The building is composed of three rings of nine petals each. The first two rings are curved inward resembling the lotus blossom in various stages of blossoming. The lower ring is curved outward with each petal creating a dome-covered entrance. The interior dome also looks like the innermost section of the lotus. There are 54 ribs on the face of the interior dome which is supported by nine arches. At the apex of the dome is a series of skylights that mimics how light would enter the lotus. There are nine reflecting pools in the shape of leaves surrounding the structure giving it the impression of floating on water. This amazing structure is also designed so that fresh air is cooled as it passes over the pools of water and is drawn upwards and out of the dome through a vent at the top. The exterior petals are clad in white marble panels and this temple is one of the fires in Dehli to use solar power.
Supertrees at Gardens By the Bay
Singapore
This nature park is filled with incredible structures inspired by nature including flowers, trees, and more.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
This building is designed after the spider lily flower.
