03/02/2025
Capstone project “Coral Nexus Resort” by Chiennapa Yampine .studio at KMITL, Bangkok
Instructor: Nirav Jhaveri
This project is inspired by a news report predicting that by 2050, rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and sinking lands will put major cities at risk of submerging, including Bangkok.
This will include a floating resort located near Koh Tao, aimed at divers, adventure tourists, and environmentally-conscious visitors, to observe marine life and the changes in nature, raising awareness about environmental changes.
The system I chose involves a floating building without a structure beneath the water. The structure will be similar to a boat, with a main ballast and large gaps under the building. This will be weighted down using steel structures or by adding water to these gaps if the building is very heavy, creating balance. However, the building will still experience some rocking when encountering waves, so a Mooring System will be used for stabilization.
The materials used will be resistant to sea water corrosion. The design of each villa in the resort will mimic the shape of coral reefs, offering a new experience for guests. The roofs will be dome-shaped to allow for better air circulation, which is critical for floating buildings, and the interior will feature double-volume spaces to create an open, airy environment with almost 360-degree views of the ocean.
For the central building of the resort design, I designed it to reflect the style of the villas. This building will need a strong structure to bear the weight of water, electricity, and other systems needed to serve the floating villas. We will use a structure similar to an oil rig, with large steel frames supporting the building, which will be located at the center of the floating resort.