If you’re a fan of aquatic life, then this holiday home in the Maldives may have you on tenterhooks.
Designed by local architect Ahmed Saleem and New York firm Yuji Yamazaki, The Muraka features an aquarium-like underwater bedroom suite where guests can watch marine life while they rest, wash and get dressed.
The home comprises of a slender top-storey above water that contains the kitchen, living and dining area, and three bedrooms — the fourth bedroom is submerged underneath the waves.
"The Maldives is known for its pristine beach and sea," architect Yuji Yamazaki said.
"The views of the ocean are breathtaking. But that's only half of the Maldivian beauty.”
"The other half exists underwater," he added. "There is an underwater ecosystem that is worth showing to the visitors without diving in the sea.”
This residence epitomises privacy. Guests arrive via a private seaplane and enter along an elegant wooden jetty that leads onto the top floor. They then gain access to the underwater suite through a spiral staircase or an elevator.
"We have the arch for the bedroom part where you can lie and look at the fish on top of you," added Mr Saleem.
"We have the living room part, which is curved glass vertically where you can stand there and almost feel the water is going to crush you and make you part of the sea."
"And then of course in the bathroom, you have these huge panes of glass looking out to nothing and to the fish.”
As a contrast to the darker lower floor, the main level is decorated with a brighter palette. A long expanse of sliding glass doors offers views to the water and opens onto a wooden deck, where it is possible to jump straight into the sea. The outside area is complete with an infinity pool, shower, dining table, and outdoor lounge.
This project follows a number of others experimenting with the depths beneath the water. Most notably in residential architecture, the impending Seahorse Villas situated off the coast of Dubai.
Part of The Heart of Europe developments in The World islands, and located off Palm Jumeirah, “The Floating Seahorse” residences will become home to a mix of hotels, palaces, villas, chalets, vessels, and underwater living experiences.
Costing more than AUD$2.8 million the product is a result of more than 5,000 hours of research and 13,000 hours of design and engineering, according to design firm Kleindienst Group.
Like The Muraka, an upstairs living area will be combined with a bedroom under the sea, providing stunning vistas of the aquatic life below.
Share this article
Sign up for new article alerts
Receive every new listing in your inbox
