Semi-submerged hotel resort proposed for Qatar

The hotel resort’s design resembles a big aquatic animal stretching out from the land into the sea horizontally for 1km with two “arm” landmasses A leading Italian design group has unveiled plans for a first-of-its-kind mixed-use resort in Qatar, called Amphibious, which contains hotels that are partially submerged in the Arabian Gulf. According to the plan released by Rome-based Giancarlo Zema Design Group (GZDG), the semi-submerged hotel resort resembles a big aquatic animal stretching out from the land into the sea horizontally for 1km with two “arm” landmasses. The initial cost of the resort was put at $500mn. The project is composed of both land and sea sections. According to information available on GZDG’s website, residential and office buildings and a marina with a modern harbour will be located on the land area. All the structures will be situated in a semi-circle around the tower with a “panoramic” restaurant. The sea section contains four “innovative” semi-submerged hotels with underwater halls that give “fascinating” views.  “The four hotels remind us of the soft lines of the super yachts anchored on land,” according to the website. “Large diagonal glass windows make the hotels unique, each with 75 luxury suites arranged around the perimeter of the building so each has a big terrace that overlooks the complex. The activities of the hotel take place in the underwater area that is surrounded by aquariums.” Hotels are situated around a central public welcome area with an interactive museum on water life and water exhibition galleries and a glass tunnel that leads to the underwater observatory in the centre of the marine park. Connected to the welcome area by the long arms are fitness centres, gardens and a special outdoor theatre with a moving stage that opens out on the sea. To the smaller floating platforms will be anchored 80 floating suites, called Jelly-fish, with underwater views within the artificial reef. At the end of each platform are lighthouses. It is possible to move everywhere thanks to electrical vehicles “that respect the eco-system philosophy”. Water transport is  provided by 20m aluminium yachts, called Trilobis, that are equipped with hydrogen engines and an underwater observatory globe. The main structure is in steel complete with all the necessary lighting systems and the floor is in teak. The Trilobis is a 20-m long eco-yacht for six people, described as ideal for bays, atolls and sea parks. It helps occupants to live in a “fantastic, unusual” environment in a self-sufficient and non-polluting habitat. It consists of four levels connected by a spiral staircase. The hull of the Trilobis is made of steel and the superstructure in aluminium which means it is 80% recyclable. The photovoltaic panels on the top catch and store the solar energy necessary for the instruments inside. The electric engines are driven by hydrogen fuel cells that only produce water as waste material, making it a non-polluting project. The GZDG is an architecture studio in Rome, specialised in semi-submerged architectural structures, marine parks, floating habitats and yacht design. It was founded in 2001 by the architect Giancarlo Zema. The project calls to mind the Hydropolis Underwater Hotel and Resort, a proposed hotel in Dubai, that would have been the world’s first underwater luxury resort. The project was originally set to begin construction in 2005 but has met with constant delays.