ocean spiral envisioned as the world's first underwater city

japanese construction company shimizu corporation has unveiled plans for an underwater city, capable of housing 5,000 permanents residents. named the ‘ocean spiral’, the design is comprised of a floating 500 meter wide sphere that is connected to a resource center on the ocean floor via a 15 kilometer helix-shaped path.

according to the guardian, the buoyant dome will house business and residential zones, while at the base of the scheme scientists will be able to explore ways to excavate and utilize energy resources from the seabed. officials at shimizu insist that the project is a realistic possibility, and have stated the technology needed to build the structure and to sustain life below the surface of the ocean will be available within 15 years.

the vast project viewed from the water’s surface
all images courtesy of shimizu corporation

the design includes a floating globe that is connected to a resource center on the ocean floor

the scheme is capable of housing 5,000 residents

a 15 kilometer helix-shaped path connects the proposal

scientists will be able to explore ways to excavate and utilize energy resources from the seabed

the buoyant dome will house business and residential zones

areas for recreation will be included as part of the city

sectional drawing of the 500 meter-wide sphere