When it first emerged that plans for an underwater hotel in Dubai had been revived, Arwa wrote “Dubai has more gimmicks and tacky accolades than a Las Vegas souvenir store so the last thing it needs is more plastic tat. It’s just not good and most of these outlandish projects pay very little attention to the environmental impact of their development.”
Comprised of an above water disc connected to an underwater disc by five legs, a vertical shaft, lift and stairway, the Water Discus hotel “willl allow guests to admire the depths of the ocean while making the most of the warm climate,” according to Deep Ocean Technology, the project’s designer.
This new development follows on the heels of the Hydropolis project that was sunk in 2009 when a financial crisis caused an exodus of expatriates and their investment dollars. But now it seems that Dubai is beginning to recover and has learned absolutely nothing about the impact of too much intervention on the Gulf’s fragile ecosystem. Step in for more renders of this crazy underwater hotel and let us know, should it be built?
“If any changes in environmental or economic conditions occur, the Water Discus modules can be transferred to a different place,” according to Deep Ocean Technology. “This offers a unique opportunity to live underwater on a permanent basis with unlimited options to change locations. The mobility makes changes in interior design of a hotel much easier, as any disc can be detached and replaced with a new one,” they add.
DOT claims that Water Disqus hotels can be constructed anywhere in the world and that they will be custom designed in accordance with the local environment – including the shape of the coastal line and depth of water around the coral reef. They make no claims, as far as we can tell, to have consulted marine specialists about the impact such a development would have on various coral reefs or the creatures that call then home.
“A single Water Discus is an independent structure with a usable area of approximately 1000 m2 fully equipped to ensure a high level of safety and comfort. It can serve as an individual module – a component of a bigger complex,” writes DOT. These can then be expanded to create larger complexes, which – as far as we are concerned – would be absolutely disastrous.
And what about natural disasters, you might ask? DOT seems to have taken into consideration the possibility that these hotels might be developed in areas prone to tsunamis and insist that they will be completely safe in such an event. “The structure sits up on five sturdy legs fixed to the seabed, and the upper disc is suspended above the water surface. These two technical solutions will ensure that Water Discus remains safe even in the event of a fairly high tsunami, which can normally flood the nearest coastal areas.”
And what about claustrophobia? For some people, being stuck in an underwater space might be as uncomfortable as crawling through a cave, but DOT suggests that the view of the sky prevents this from happening. Although they don’t seem to have conducted any environmental impact assessments, they have gone through rigorous safety evaluations.
“The design, construction and technical condition of the complex are under permanent supervision of an international classification organisation with experience in the field of building and operation of boats, ships, offshore structures and professional diving systems,” according to the company.” The hotel meets safety standards of local and international organizations and promises a deluxe sensory experience like no other.
For the sake of our already over-stressed marine systems, we hope like hey that this project never sees the light of day.
Images courtesy Deep Ocean Technology
More on Dubai’s Underwater Madness:
Hydropolis Underwater Hotel in Dubai Still Sunk
Underwater Hotel Plans Revived in Dubai
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
Wow! amazing pictures. Indeed it looks so SciFi I can’t believe it’s real. Yes it should be built…if those people in Dubai don’t build it I doubt anyone will soon. cazare moeciu
Wow, this hotel looks like something out of a science fiction novel. I wonder how much a room like that would go for? I am sure I would have to reserve this room way in advance.
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I have been looking for a comfortable hotel to stay in. I need a place that will cater to my needs and has good food. The food is the most important part.
Also what about the asthetic use of the same stuff they use to heal the coaral reafs with allowing growth of sea life at the shell of the building submersed in the water.
looks splendily tantilizing handsome.bottom line what would the rooms cost for flowing tourizm,and then again for the long term residents rent.
Wow, I have never personally seen anything like this before. My friend was looking into hotels in ottawa and stumbled upon this and wanted me to check it out. So is this already built or is this kind of a preview of it? I think it’s a fantastic idea. Thanks for sharing.
Kevin, when the Palm was built they had problems with the movement of the water, it was becoming stagnant and ‘fragrant’, until they put in machines to move the water. There is also problem with the tidal flow changing due to the construction of the world, palm 1 and 2.
You can be sure that the environment will be last on Dubai’s list of concerns. Just look at their track record building Palm Island and The World. And, if it gets built, none of the individuals who stay there will give a damn – as long as their view from the window is not spoiled. You can ask divers around here how much damage all this construction has done and how poor visibility is because of constant dredging.
When the palm jumeirah project was revealed critics said that it would be a disaster for the environment, but they went ahead with this project and when completed its was found that the coral reefs and the environmental condition around palm jumeirah was great and more vibrant than it had ever been!!!!!!
Hats off to dubai , i always was proud of dubai’s achievements, projects like these has always made dubai stand out and a unique place to live and others will always be jealous of its achievements because they can never be like dubai.As for the environment the company building this project has given full assurance that the environment will not be affected, and we don’t need to judge that, these projects are build by highly skilled professionals and they know what they are doing.Dubai’s leaders are positive thinking and they don’t just let these type of obstacles, like the environment or a recession stand in their way of their goals to provide their people with the best there is in this world, and i applaud that, wish my country had great leaders like them. All the best for dubai!!!
This is one of the most interesting and beautiful hotel concepts I have ever seen! I would be very interested in knowing exactly what measures are in place that make sure that environmental impacts are minimized. The concept is breathtaking and I would love to see it in person.
Initial reaction is no, but upon reflection it will be a prototype for future underwater dwellings. Dubai has the money to pay for it. As the world population grows and land space is squeezed at some point one must think about other forms of habitat. Why not now instead of waiting till the ‘last minute’.