Saudi Arabia's Neom reveals new 'upside down skyscraper' in Gulf of Aqaba

The "inside-out and upside down" Aquellum skyscraper, to be built under water, will be accessed via floating marina

By Web Desk
|
May 13, 2024
Saudi Arabi's Aquellum project to be one of its kind. — Dezeen/File

Saudi Arabia’s Neom has unveiled a new mega project named Aquellum, which will be centred around an "underwater open square",Dezeen reported.

This project will be one of its kind, as architecture company LAVA’s founder, Alexander Rieck, has described it as an "ultra-luxury upside-down skyscraper."

The upside-down building will contain hotels, retail spaces, residential apartments, and "innovation hubs."

It will be located along the Gulf of Aqaba coastline.

Furthermore, the project also includes a floating marina, which will be the first point of access for visitors.

To enter the Aquellum, visitors will travel on a "specially designed vessel" hidden in an underground canal. The vessel will then take travellers into the "underwater open square."

Aquellum will be built into a mountain and located next to a floating marina. — Dezeen/File

What makes Aquellum unique is its "inside-out and upside down" design.

The main building will be centred around a 100-metre-tall central void that rises from the underwater square and is surrounded by a courtyard with walkable paths.

As per the shared photos of the project, the open concrete building has balconies, house terraces, patios, ponds and indoor waterfalls.

The different floors of the skyscraper will be connected by a boulevard, which will connect to the courtyard. In addition, the roof will feature a cloud garden. Aquellum will also have a research lab called "The Generator".