REGULAR followers are likely familiar with Vincent Callebaut’s futuristic output by now, and the Belgian architect is at it again with a new project that follows in much the same vein as its predecessors.
The Wooden Orchids project envisions a large sustainable shopping mall in Jiangxi Province, China, that boasts solar and wind power, geothermal heating, rainwater recycling, and a design that’s part-inspired by the orchid.
Wooden Orchids comprises twin buildings which sit very close together and are joined by multiple footbridges. Located on a plot measuring 20,000 square metres, they sport a usable floorspace of 30,000 square metres.
Each building has three main floors, plus a mezzanine and attic space. It’s a remarkably complex concept, and draws inspiration from various sources, including orchids, on account of its proximity to a noted local flower garden.
Alas, the Wooden Orchids project received “only” an honourable mention in the architectural competition in which it was entered, and so its prospects of being realised appear dim.
