FINAL CALL
A Night on the Seabed
Proposals for an underwater research station with liveable habitat floats the idea of subaquatic tourism.
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Just as the International Space Station paved the
kitchen and dining areas. It will also include
way for recreational space travel, a revolutionary
the first underwater greenhouse, allowing
research facility anchored to the seabed is set to
inhabitants to grow fresh plant life for food.
open up new possibilities for subaquatic tourism.
The initial concept was co-conceived by Yves
The vision of aquanaut, ocean explorer and
Béhar, founder of innovative design agency
conservationist Fabien Cousteau, Proteus is the
Fuseproject. “Proteus’ design intent is to offer
world’s largest and most advanced underwater
an effective, comfortable and attractive facility
scientific research station. Its primary purpose
for researchers, and an exciting underwater
is to gain a better understanding of the ocean –
structure that garners the same passion for ocean
discover new species of marine life, determine
exploration as we have for space exploration,” he
the effects of climate change and test advanced
explains. “The spiral architecture houses social
technologies for robotic exploration, for example
and work spaces as well as a communication
– however the concept also shows just what’s
studio and a submersible moon pool. Proteus is
possible down below the surface.
both practical and an icon that will change the
Proteus is envisioned to be more than
way we experience ocean research.”
four times the size of any previously known
Cousteau describes the concept as a network of
underwater habitat, and will feature state-of-
underwater habitats; so who knows, maybe it will
the-art labs, sleeping quarters, a living room,
forever change the way we holiday too.
