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The Lotus effect

author(s):Matthew Tanti

The Muck and the Lotus

The lotus flower also known as the Nelumbo nucifera [1] is a plant specie which uses nutrients from river beds which few other plants find useful. While most plant species, regard the surrounding environment as muck and not fit to establish a colony, the Lotus manages to thrive in such conditions.

"The lotus flower is one of the most ancient and deepest symbols of our planet. The lotus flower grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty. At night the flower closes and sinks underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again." Source

The extraordinary thing about such a plant is that is strives in seeping its root deep down where most of the ‘muck’ is located. The plant stretches in height in order to fulfill its contradictory needs; reaching down for the nutrients while floating on the water surface to reach the sun. If successful the pant finally blooms into this beautiful flower floating on the water, attracting new species. This design project will use this plant as an analogy, strives to nurture itself from the surrounding muck. The project will be a spearhead in accepting the challenges around the site and using it as an opportunity to create an attraction, which would ultimately attract more activities in the area.

What is the muck it is going to nurture on? How could this Lotus blossom in such a mundane environment? One of the first considerations which came to mind, regards the huge potential to use one of the most prominent and easily attained resource in the area… Water; Being a harbour area the water surrounding the site is unfit for recreational activities. The lack of FUN in the area is very evident.

The people in the area need to be furthermore entertained?

Where can the hedonist find his well deserved dose of fun?