Italian architect dreams up crowdfunded, self-sustaining, floating pyramid city

A self-sustaining, floating city made up of solar powered, modular pyramid structures constructed from fibreglass, carbon and steel could be housing residents at sea within the next four years.

Wayaland is a new concept from the mind of Pierpaolo Lazzini – the Italian architect behind the floating Jetcapsule concept – and he’s looking for investors to make it happen.

Apparently taking inspiration from Mayan architecture, the largest structure would be 30 metres tall, housing 10 floors, with a 54-metre-square base which would have an entrance for boats.

The basement would also contain propellers and engines, with a desalination plant and a garden providing water and fresh fruit and vegetables.

There are multiple models planned – the Hotel, Suite and Villa designs, which would – eventually – contain amenities like shops, spas, gyms, bars and cinemas.

Mr Lazzini is planning on funding the project by crowdfunding a two-level, 10 metre by 10 metre hotel suite prototype, with a budget of €350,000 ($550,000).

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This prototype would be offered for hire as a floating hotel, at the cost of $1599 per night. Investors would also have access to citizenship of this new waterborne city.

Investors would get a vote on where the city would eventually be moored, with Lazzini suggesting that the UAE would be the “perfect place”. A world map found on the project’s website also puts forward locations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and South Pacific.

If this sounds to you like an unmissable opportunity – never fear, there’s a link on the project’s website to donate. If it meets its funding goals, Wayaland would drift open in 2022.