NBBJ is an architectural firm in the running for creating an innovative skating rink design for the River Thames located in London for tourists and citizens to enjoy during the winter months. The rink will creatively be designed to look like a modular flower rather than a traditional square with the structure being designed to be functional with the river's water supply.
The rink is known as the Frost Flowers, gaining its name from the geometric triangular petal designs that protrude from a centre pivot. The pieces, know as jetties, are engineered to scoop up water from the river that is then used to form the ice rink. In the summer when the rink isn't in use, the jetty petals fold upwards till needed again for the winter.
Floral Skating Rink Designs
NBBJ Is Proposing a Geometic Flower Ice Field for the River Thames
Trend Themes
1. Geometric Design - The trend of adopting geometric designs in innovative skating rinks is creating disruptive innovation opportunities for the architecture industry.
2. Functional Design - The trend towards functional design that makes use of natural resources is creating innovative outdoor rinks, presenting new opportunities for the tourism industry.
3. Modular Architecture - The trend towards modular and adaptable architecture is creating innovative rinks that can be converted for other uses, providing new opportunities for the construction industry.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - The architecture industry has an opportunity to create more outdoor rinks with geometric and functional designs like the Frost Flowers skating rink proposed by NBBJ.
2. Tourism - The tourism industry can take advantage of the trend for functional outdoor rinks made with natural resources like the River Thames, by creating more outdoor activities for visitors.
3. Construction - The construction industry can profit from the innovation of modular architecture for outdoor rinks like the Frost Flowers, which can be repurposed from winter to summer use.