My mother used to collect anything cactus. Salt and pepper shakers, plates, and hand towels with cactus appliques adorned the house. That's nothing compared to the Bangkok-based Aesthetics Architects Go Group who have designed the minister of Municipal Affairs & Agriculture's (MMAA) new office building in Doha Qatar, also known as the cactus projects.According to DesignBoom, "the building's design draws its inspiration from the ability of cacti thriving in the desert." The building features sunshade panels that open and close according to the sun's intensity. A cactus, similar to the building, performs transpiration at night rather than the day because, as described by inhabitat, it helps retain water. The cactus building is energy efficient and has a botanic dome at the base of the tower that will eventually contain a botanical garden, adding to it's "green rating".
The Aesthetics Architects Go Group is recognized for their innovative approach to sustainable architecture. They kept in mind that Qatar, as stated on Qatar Embassy, receives an average of 3.2 inches of rainfall a year and is mostly barren, sand-covered land.
Now, if only I could get rid of all the cactus hand me downs from my mother, who, by the way, has moved on to roosters.
