faulders studio: geotube

faulders studio: geotubeall images courtesy of faulders studio

geotube is a building proposal designed by the california based architecture firm, faulders studio for the unique environment of dubai. the building features a large super structure which will, over time, grow a skin façade on its own. the system utilizes a vertical salt deposit growth system that uses water from the adjacent persian gulf. the water is sprayed onto the mesh of the superstructure using a gravity fed system, allowing the skin to continually grow using nothing but local materials. because the persian gulf has the world’s highest salinity for oceanic water, the sprayed water will evaporate and salt deposits begin to form.

‘the tower’s appearance transforms from a transparent skin to a highly visible white solid plane. the result is a specialized habitat for wildlife that thrives is this environment, and an accessible surface for the harvesting of crystal salt.’ the water would be pumped in using a long underground tube, hence the project’s name.