Designers Sandra G Matthews and Michael R Henderson have created a concept for a 224-metre-high spherical resort that would include a moon-like experience, which they hope to realise in four locations around the world.
Named Moon, the resort would consist of a spherical steel structure enclosing a hotel and the moon-surface attraction built on two of a three-storey circular podium.
“There is nothing remotely similar to Moon anywhere on planet Earth,” Henderson told Dezeen.
“It will be a fully integrated, contemporary, luxurious destination resort encompassing a unique signature attraction enabling guests to walk on the lunar surface while exploring an authentic lunar colony – space tourism for all!”
Above the podium, the 224-metre-high structure will be enclosed within the “world’s largest sphere”, which would be externally decorated as the moon.
This spherical shape would be constructed from a steel frame of a similar nature to the ones popularised by US architect Richard Buckminster Fuller. It would be covered in a carbon-fibre composite and incorporate solar panels to power the resort.
Within the sphere, a 20-storey hotel would be topped with the lunar experience, which would mimic the surface of the moon and incorporate a “lunar colony”.
“It will have 10 acres of authentic undulating lunar surface incorporating a highly detailed working lunar colony,” explained Henderson.
“This specific area will be utilized for guest visits and astronaut training,” he continued. “The colony will feature multiple global corporations and space agencies showcasing their technology. It will also incorporate a university campus component.”
Henderson and Matthews set up the Moon World Resorts organisation to license the Moon concept, with the aim of building one resort in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The organisation anticipates the first resort being built in Dubai.
They estimate that each resort will cost $5 billion to construct and would attract 2.5 million visitors a year.
“Unlike many ‘fantasy proposals’ featured on Dezeen, Moon will be built, as it’s entirely logical from a built environment perspective and its business plan is extremely compelling,” said Henderson.
“We will master license a single major corporation or regionally license multiple corporations the ability to develop Moon in four global locations.
The attraction bears a resemblance to a pair of spherical music venues that are set to be built in London and Las Vegas. Designed by architecture studio Populous for MSG Group the London venue was recent granted planning permission, while the Las Vegas sphere is under construction.
Dezeen recently rounded up nine spherical buildings from all around the globe.
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