vincent callebaut’s ‘physalia’ amphibious garden to clean waterways

vincent callebaut architectures has designed ‘physalia’, an architectural prototype of an amphibious garden — a floating agora which is meant to clean waterways in europe. the project aims to meet the needs of maintaining a sustainable management of water resources. the roof of the structure contains a double pneumatic membrane chiseled with smooth photovoltaic solar cells.

under the hull, hydro-turbines transform the energy of the fluvial stream into hydro-electricity. the surface of the vessel is made from an aluminum covering which covers the multi-hull steel structure. the silver-plated dress is covered by a TiO2 layer of anatase shapes that when reacting to ultraviolet rays, reduces water pollution. in addition to being a self-cleaning vessel, it can absorb and recycle by photo-catalytic effect. physalia is crossed in its double hull by a hydraulic network that filters the fluvial water and purifies it biologically thanks to its planted roof. the interior is divided into four thematic gardens: water, fire, earth, air.

all images © vincent callebaut architectures

east elevation

green roof of phytopurification and photovoltaic pneumatic lens

steel hull construction and aluminum superstructure with view of the air garden

interior scenography – view of the water garden and earth garden

profile

inside view of the air garden

view of physalia’s deck

potential locations for the physalia:

letna, prague

thames, london

seine, paris

seine, paris

physale – starting point of the structure’s form

longitudinal section

level of the air garden

cross section

diagrams and bionic transposition of bio-luminescent pneumatophorous