The Fleet of Putrajaya, Malaysia

These unusual, onion-shaped towers are designed for Precinct 4, or the Putrajaya waterfront in Malaysia (30 kilometers south of Kuala Kumpur). The design, by Studio Nicoletti Associati, was inspired by ship sails and traditional Islamic architecture.
The towers are efficient and green: they are permeable structures with terraces, sunshades, natural ventilation and integrated green space.

The sustainable design is unique with marine-inspired structures that resemble ships and draw from the country’s traditional Islamic designs. The project is arranged in a permeable, radiating block of bioclimatic architecture.
The project is from Italian Studio Nicoletti Associati and Malaysian architects Hijjas Kasturi Associates, who provided the masterplan of Putrajaya.

The architect’s goal was to design buildings that tell “of its place of origin which is culturally modern, Islamic and tropical in nature.” Added to this is Nicoletti’s extensive experience in design and construction for extreme climates. For Precinct 4, the Italian firm brought sustainable strategies like terraces, sunshades, natural ventilation and integrated green space into the design. The buildings will source from alternative energy and are expected to produce 50% less CO2 emissions than similar residential projects. (inhabitat)

Related link : Marine Inspired Architecture