dutch docklands dreams up star and snowflake-shaped floating hotels

adding to the netherlands’ centuries-long legacy of designing for water environments, the company dutch docklands has developed numerous concepts for floating hotels and dwellings. their projects are scattered all across the globe, specifically in the maldives, united states, norway, and middle east. the schemes are often composed as large-scale symbolic forms, which are representative of their given region. in particular, three of their designs take the shape of a starfish, a snowflake, and an ocean flower.

the ‘greenstar’, situated in the middle of an atoll in the maldives, is a floating convention center and hotel composed of five appendages. the structure is built of terracing levels and covered in green materials. intended as a symbol for ecological design and environmental integration, the complex is envisioned as a primary location for conferences regarding climate change, water management, and sustainability.

the ‘greenstar’ is located in the center of an atoll
all images © dutch docklands

to symbolize the frigid oceans of scandanavia, dutch docklands has imagined a snowflake-shaped hotel to be located off norway’s fjord coastline. the 5-star facility is composed of 6 crystals, containing 86 rooms as well as a conference space, spa, and wellness center. the scheme is planned to be completely self sustaining in regards to energy demands.

a snowflake-shaped hotel floats off of norway’s coastline

the proposed design appears as a highly sculpted block of floating ice

in a joint venture with the government of the maldives, the company is developing ‘the ocean flower’, which is comprised of waterfront villas arranged in the shape of a typical flower from the region. the project’s first phase includes 185 dwellings, with each featuring its own private pool. the masterplan also contains a beach, restaurants, shops, diving center, spa, and a separate private island. the complex is located only 20 minutes by boat from the country’s capital of malé and its international airport.