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boulder-like white buildings on a sandy beach

Dezeen Debate features Foster + Partners' "plate of jelly" marine centre in Saudi Arabia

The latest edition of our weekly Dezeen Debate newsletter features British studio Foster + Partners' designs for the Marine Life Institute in Saudi Arabia. Subscribe to Dezeen Debate now.

British studio Foster + Partners has designed "the world's first fully immersive experiential marine life centre" for the luxury Amaala resort in Saudi Arabia.

The Marine Life Institute will also house one of the largest man-made reefs in the world, which will be 40 meters long and 10 metres deep.

Visitors will be able to tour the labs, which will be part of the "conservation-driven" scientific research centre. Other attractions will include augmented reality experiences and underwater Red Sea tours in submersible vehicles.

Readers had mixed opinions on the project, with one asking "does it wobble like a plate of jelly?" Another thought it "looks like someone lost his dentures at the beach".

"I must have terrible taste – I like it", wrote one commenter.

Foster + Partners designed the building to resemble coral reefs
Foster + Partners designed the building to resemble coral reefs

Other stories in this week's newsletter include Danish architecture studio MAST's floating "Land on water" homes, Saudi Arabia reportedly sentencing three men to death following Neom displacements and ten key projects by 2022 Stirling Prize-winner Niall McLaughlin Architects.

Dezeen Debate

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