Mega-project Neom has unveiled Aquellum, which was designed by architecture studios LAVA and Name Architecture inside a mountain and will be centred around an "underwater open square".
Described by LAVA founder Alexander Rieck as an "ultra-luxury upside-down skyscraper," the building will contain hotel and retail spaces as well as residential apartments and "innovative hubs". It will be located along the Gulf of Aqaba coastline in Saudi Arabia.
Aquellum will be built into a mountain and located next to a floating marina
It will feature a floating marina that will be located in the sea next to the mountain range and will be the first point of access for visitors.
To enter Aquellum itself, visitors will go on a "specially designed vessel" that will travel on a hidden underground canal. This will open up into what the studios describe as an "underwater open square". It will be built around a central void
"Aquelleum is an ultra-luxury upside-down skyscraper," Rieck said. "The facade's facing inwards instead of facing outwards."
"Things are inside-out and upside-down," he continued. "Normally architecture is focused to the outside."
Visitors will access the space from an "underwater square"
The building will be centred around a 100-metre-tall central void that rises from the underwater square and is surrounded by a courtyard with walkable paths.
Visuals show a large, open concret...