UNDERWATER RESORT, SENTOSA, SINGAPORE - 5th Year

As my thesis topic, I had wanted to do something technical, and with a 'tourist' touch to it.Astronomical Observatories and Oceanariums were my first choice. While reading up about them on the internet, I came across the concept of underwater hotels and one being constructed in Dubai.

That was followed up with months of hard core research, into site selection, tourist patterns, sea water chemistry and physics and more.

At my jury, the emphasis was on the concepts on which my design was based on, rather than on the design itself.

Form Development and Derivation

Site Selection and Analysis

Construction Methodology


Another integral part of the design, was the design of various services, selection of materials and technology to protect the building from the corrosive efffects of sea water. Also, in todays world, with everyone trying their best to 'go green', alternative methods of energy were also touched upon.

Material Palette

Building Services Concepts

Alternate Sources of Energy

The ground floor plan, which is at the lowest level, is right on the sea bed. All the rooms,designed int he form of modules, are each independently air-tight. The sea-bed level, due to the presence of plants, is far more inhabited and rich in plant and animal species. Also artificial coral gardens would be 'seeded' to attract more fauna, to the hotel.

The resort is connected to the mainland by a jetty, above the water surface, and a monorail tunnel at the seabed level.

Ground Floor Plan

The site section shows the relative depth and distance from the sea shore,off the island of Sentosa.

The detailed section goes ahead to give a better idea about the functionality and vertical stacking of the building. Also depicted are a schematic of the pile foundations that would be necessary to maintain such a structure in place.

The smaller sections show how the tunnel would be constructed in two levels, one for the tourists and consumers, and one for the services.
Basic Sections

Various Other Floor Plans of the hotel, showing hte vertical connectivity and the distribution of variou functions around the floor plate.




Some Views



Pictures of the model constructed ot demonstrate the idea and form.