Glenn KatzDesigning a World Beyond Imagination: My Vision Inspired by Pandora – The World of Avatar
When I considered what kind of project to do, the first thing that came to my mind was Pandora – The World of Avatar, located within Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This area, inspired by James Cameron’s Avatar movie, replicates the fictional habitable exomoon, Pandora. It features landscapes including floating mountains, alien creatures, and bioluminescent plants. As you walk through this themed area, it feels as though you are on the beautiful alien planet of Pandora, with designs closely resembling scenes from the movie. Strange plants surround you, and the breath and rustle of alien animals can be heard. At night, the bioluminescent forest comes alive, glowing magically.
- The World of Avatar at Night
Inside this enchanting themed area, attractions like the Na’vi River Journey invite visitors to cruise through Pandora's jungle, while Flight of Passage offers a chance to connect with and ride a Banshee, soaring around the planet in an unforgettable journey.
What inspired me about this design was the overall setting or theme of an entirely different planet, achieved by incorporating all featured landscapes and elements from Pandora. I aim to create an exhibition space that similarly transports viewers to another world, completely insulated from the ordinary.
- Bioluminescent Plants
Another fascinating aspect of Pandora is the interaction between the landscape and visitors. There is a path that lights up underfoot, water fountains that respond to voices, and research areas with touch screens and buttons for interactive engagement. Native drum circles allow guests to play alien music and beats. I plan to incorporate these interactive features into my project, allowing visitors to not only observe but also feel and interact with different sections of the space.
- Interactions
A key takeaway is how the area is organized to amaze yet accommodate a large number of visitors. Clear instructions, sufficient space, strategically placed restaurants, shops, and restrooms, and a well-designed HVAC system are essential for comfort and convenience.
However, I intend to diverge from Pandora in certain aspects. The first is the overall complexity of the exterior design. While the floating mountains and giant trees are visually stunning, they occupy a lot of space for aesthetics alone. My project will aim for visual appeal but with a more streamlined and efficient use of space.
Additionally, while Pandora's attractions are mostly indoor and rely heavily on electricity for lighting, robotic motion, air conditioning, and sound effects, my project will prioritize sustainability. We will use natural light for illumination and temperature control, striving to minimize light pollution and carbon emissions. This approach will make the project more environmentally friendly while still delivering an immersive experience.
Some of the other architectural examples that I was also inspired by which are both aesthetic pleasing and sustainable are:
Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay Created by: Wilkinson Eyre Located in: Singapore
This creative design is not just a garden attraction but also displays advanced green technology. It includes two big glasshouses and eight tall 'supertrees'. These structures have solar panels for energy and special channels to keep the area cool. They are also covered with a layer that looks like veins, holding thousands of different kinds of plants.
One Angel Square, Co-operative Group HQ
Architects: 3DReid Location: Manchester, UK
The building's dual-layered exterior and open central space reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling, while also providing natural warmth, air conditioning, and illumination. It features a heat and power system that operates on rapeseed oil produced on the Co-operative's own farms, generating its own heat and electricity. This setup reduces expenses by 75%.