From giant lotuses to a spider lily: 5 buildings shaped by nature

Five architectural marvels inspired by nature's floral motifs have left their mark on the world. The Lotus Temple in New Delhi, India, fashioned after a blooming lotus, welcomes people of all beliefs and can accommodate around 2,500 visitors. Meanwhile, the Wujin Lotus Conference Centre in China, set on an artificial lake, boasts petal-like structures that rise from the water and incorporate sustainable design features, such as geothermal heating and cooling.

The ArtScience Museum in Singapore, another lotus-inspired structure, features ten petal-like forms that provide natural lighting and rainwater management. The Colombo Lotus Tower in Sri Lanka, soaring at 356 meters, presents a taller interpretation of the flower, symbolizing purity and renewal in Sri Lankan culture. Lastly, Dubai's Burj Khalifa, while not as directly floral, takes its inspiration from the spider lily, demonstrating the enduring influence of nature's beauty in architectural design.