Aquagunnmala : A Submerged Sanctuary

Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Gurgaon

Project idea

The idea of this project emerges from the urgent need to reimagine human habitation in response to rising sea levels and climate change. Inspired by biomineralization, coral ecosystems, and emerging underwater technologies, the project envisions a sustainable, modular underwater habitat for the year 2100 and beyond. It integrates advanced material research, ecological resilience, and spatial adaptability to propose a living environment that exists in harmony with marine systems—both as refuge and regenerative architecture.

Project description

Aquagunnmala: A Submerged Sanctuary is a speculative design project that addresses the future of human habitation in the face of accelerating climate change and rising sea levels. Set in the year 2100, the project envisions a self-sustaining underwater habitat designed to accommodate 210 occupants. It explores the intersection of parametric design, biomimicry, and marine ecology through modular living units inspired by coral morphology and biomineralization processes.

The architecture is engineered for adaptability and resilience, incorporating a chitin-reinforced bio-skin, integrated evacuation systems, and a transit spine that links the cluster modules. The project utilizes simulations and fluid dynamic principles (such as the Ekman Spiral) to optimize form performance under underwater pressure and current conditions. Aquagunnmala is not only a response to environmental necessity but also a vision for redefining our relationship with the ocean through architecture.

Technical information

The project is located off the coast of Dwarka, Gujarat, selected for its relatively shallow seabed, low turbidity, and proximity to the Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park. Designed to accommodate 210 occupants, the built-up area spans 13,335 sq.m. The modular structure is supported by a dual vertical system—inner cores house services and circulation, including an integrated evacuation tunnel (transit spine), while outer supports sustain the habitable volume. The form is derived using parametric sine-curve-based rings, tested across multiple subdivisions (6–14 loops) to evaluate hydrodynamic performance. Simulations were conducted using Fusion 360 and RealFlow 10.0, with reference to Ekman Spiral dynamics to assess underwater current behavior and drag zones. The modules are enclosed in a chitin-reinforced biomineralized skin inspired by CaCO₃ crystalline geometries and coral morphology. Services include a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) for closed-loop water treatment and internal oxygen circulation modeled on submarine systems. Photovoltaic skin elements and vertical lighting shafts are integrated for energy efficiency and ambient illumination.