A Polish Architect Plans To Build An Underwater Tennis Court
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk
#underwater #tennis #sport #technology #architecture
It's traditionally played on grass and clay, but could tennis matches one day take place in a waterproof bubble in an "underwater Wimbledon"?
An architect Krysztof Kotala from Polish firm 8+8 Concept Studios has released designs for an ambitious project to build an underwater tennis court off the coast of Dubai. He showcased some computer-generated images of the proposed tennis court.
An underwater tennis complex could be built just offshore in the Persian Gulf, between the Burj al Arab and the Palm Jumeirah islands. Part sports arena and part aquarium, the eccentric concept for the seven-court complex calls for a rooftop coral reef, which would bring an abundance of sea life to the area for spectators (and players) to view.
During his interview to Arabian Business Kotala told that the idea had strong commercial potential and would combine the best of "technology, ecology and sport."
An architect is currently seeking investment from local backers to make the concept a reality. "There is not an investor but I would like to get interest as I think it is a good idea," he told Arabian Business.
However, although the underwater sports concept looks stunning, engineers have poured water (excuse the pun) on the idea that such a tennis court could be built with current technology.
Sarah Fray, director of engineering and technical services at the Institution of Structural Engineers in London, explained that one of the biggest challenges would be to create the large span of glass to cover the court. This would have to be at least 33 meters wide to accommodate the court and spectators. Currently, flat panels of glass can be manufactured in single pieces around 10 meters long - such as panels used in Apple's store in Turkey - but new machinery would have to be invented to make larger panes of curved glass, the type of which would be needed for the design.
Another challenge is how to get to the tennis court. She explains that there would have to be a way for the structure to be connected to the surface.
However, she conceded that the arched shape of the underwater court is a good idea because it's the best way of resisting pressure, the likes of which would be vast, particularly if the court was submerged at a decent depth beneath the waves.
Will Stewart, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) added that the design may not appear as bright inside as the concept images suggest. He explained the glass would have to be many meters thicker at the edges than at the center of the arch, so views of the ocean would not be as bright as they are in the concept pictures.
Dubai is no stranger to unusual tennis courts. In 2005, a court was built atop the 305 meters tall Burj al Arab hotel to promote the Dubai Tennis Championships. Besides this Dubai is known for outlandish construction projects including man-made islands and the world's tallest building. It also already has a restaurant - Al Mahara - that's underwater.
However the technological challenges are big, but the human challenges are bigger. And in future everything is possible.
An architect Krysztof Kotala from Polish firm 8+8 Concept Studios has released designs for an ambitious project to build an underwater tennis court off the coast of Dubai. He showcased some computer-generated images of the proposed tennis court.
An underwater tennis complex could be built just offshore in the Persian Gulf, between the Burj al Arab and the Palm Jumeirah islands. Part sports arena and part aquarium, the eccentric concept for the seven-court complex calls for a rooftop coral reef, which would bring an abundance of sea life to the area for spectators (and players) to view.
During his interview to Arabian Business Kotala told that the idea had strong commercial potential and would combine the best of "technology, ecology and sport."
An architect is currently seeking investment from local backers to make the concept a reality. "There is not an investor but I would like to get interest as I think it is a good idea," he told Arabian Business.
However, although the underwater sports concept looks stunning, engineers have poured water (excuse the pun) on the idea that such a tennis court could be built with current technology.
Sarah Fray, director of engineering and technical services at the Institution of Structural Engineers in London, explained that one of the biggest challenges would be to create the large span of glass to cover the court. This would have to be at least 33 meters wide to accommodate the court and spectators. Currently, flat panels of glass can be manufactured in single pieces around 10 meters long - such as panels used in Apple's store in Turkey - but new machinery would have to be invented to make larger panes of curved glass, the type of which would be needed for the design.
Another challenge is how to get to the tennis court. She explains that there would have to be a way for the structure to be connected to the surface.
However, she conceded that the arched shape of the underwater court is a good idea because it's the best way of resisting pressure, the likes of which would be vast, particularly if the court was submerged at a decent depth beneath the waves.
Will Stewart, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) added that the design may not appear as bright inside as the concept images suggest. He explained the glass would have to be many meters thicker at the edges than at the center of the arch, so views of the ocean would not be as bright as they are in the concept pictures.
Dubai is no stranger to unusual tennis courts. In 2005, a court was built atop the 305 meters tall Burj al Arab hotel to promote the Dubai Tennis Championships. Besides this Dubai is known for outlandish construction projects including man-made islands and the world's tallest building. It also already has a restaurant - Al Mahara - that's underwater.
However the technological challenges are big, but the human challenges are bigger. And in future everything is possible.
