What do all these designs have in common?
(Top Left Corner) Bandra Ohm Residential Tower in India, Piano House in China, ICEHOTEL in Sweden (Top Right Corner)
Innovation. Something out of the blue. Something interesting. Something that not many people would ideate and think it is feasible enough. Recently, Moura (the professor of Sauder d.studio) shared with our team a really interesting article from 7ideas.net: 21 illustrated idea killers – reasons why creative and innovation doesn’t fly in your organization. I thought the 21 pointers were somewhat witty, but very true in fact. One reason that stood out to me was ‘It’s impossible.’
Just think about it – how many times have we told someone that the idea is ‘impossible’ just because it doesn’t really flow with the status quo. Take school for an example. When we are told to do a presentation, many of us would think of the standardized routine: introduction, present your slides, Q&A. What if you were to tell your team that they should do a ‘talk show’ skit to present our ideas? My guess is that the initial response would be ‘Are we allowed to?’
Even I am guilty of that myself. There’s really no one to blame. Because after all, we are all soaked up in a ‘standardised’ society. To be innovative means to change your old mindset, to be a risk-taker, and to be even willing to do more work. Easier said than done. But I just wanted to use this opportunity to show that innovation does pay out (look at these designs!) and perhaps to get us thinking about it.
Bandra Ohm Residential Tower in Mumbia, India
Bandra Ohm Residential Tower in Mumbia, India
Like an Ohm (Ω) symbol, The Bandra Ohm Residential Tower is a 140 m tall residential tower in Mumbia, India. Designed by world renowed architect James Law of James Law Cybertecture International, the design concept of the tower is inspired by the ripple effect generated by water droplets, which is also known as the capillary wave. Residents experience a luxurious living environment and can swim in an ‘infinity pool.’
Piano House in Huainan (Anhui Province, China)
Piano House in Hainan (Anhui Province, China)
The Piano House is built by students from the architectural department of Hefei University of Technology and designers of Huainan Fangkai Decoration Project Company in Huainan (Anhui province, China).
ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
The world’s largest ICEHOTEL, a hotel built of ice and snow, can be found in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden. The ideas originate from the place itself—Jukkasjärvi, where there is the river Torne, the cold artic climate, the Northern lights, and the Midnight Sun. The ICEHOTEL is built every year, starting from mid-November, and it returns to its origin—Torne River when spring arrives.
I bet there are other incredible designs out there. These are just a few. Well, how about we start the small step of being daring enough to ask, try and do, even if they are the ‘craziest’ ideas.