The Frame Hotel, A Tree Building Dream Comes True

The Frame Hotel designed by International Architecture Development is a WAN award 2009 entry that brings today's sustainability to a higher level. The framework of the structure is inspired by nature that symbolizes the growth of a tree and vines. Designing the a new building in the world's most popular desert, Dubai, the design team is setting a new standard and monument for the future sustainable architectures. The theme for the Frame Hotel is the vertical garden, which a garden expands from the ground floor lobby all the way to the structural vines and the roof top of the hotel. Innovatively, the vine-like curve beams provide the support to the whole building, which it is like a true form of a tree.

Also, the building is going to have scattered patios on the different floors. To walk around this building among different vegetation planted inside is going to be like living among trees. The skin of the structure is made of plant-like material. The skin is solar protected dark glass that not only protects the structure from sun and wind. The black prism becomes almost transparent at the hotel zone for tourists, and it would only reappear at a certain designed angle. This design maximizes the concept of a true nature environment.

I still remember from an environment awareness course, the ideal sustainable building and city are a building that looks and functions like a tree and a city that like a forest. Could the Frame Hotel become the ideal sustainable building?