Dubai is the place to go if you want to build outrageous or crazy architecture, like buildings as tall as mountains, manmade islands in the shape of the world or, if neither of those is wacky enough for you, then how about an ocean hotel that’s partly submerged in water? That’s the idea for the Water Discus Underwater Hotel from Deep Ocean Technology which is to be built in Dubai and is comprised of futuristic discs which make it look a bit like the Starship Enterprise.
One disc will be above water, the other 21 stories under, so the rich of the world can wake up in the morning and look out at the goings on of the Persian Gulf’s aquatic life. This luxury playground will let people go diving, take off on submersibles, and do all the other stuff that James Cameron likes to do when he isn’t releasing 3D movies. Entertainment will consist of SpongeBob Squarepants and Patrick Star singing Billy Ocean’s greatest hits. Possibly.
If you’re worried about safety, they make assurances that “the structure sits up on three 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.” Good to know.
Whether it will actually be built in Dubai remains to be seen, but the modules can be adapted to different sea levels, so who knows, maybe one of the world’s dilapidated seaside towns could dip their toes into the future of luxury underwater accommodation.