China's Studio City Water Park Chosen as a 2023 Aquatics International Dream Design

Studio City Water Park
Cotai, Macau, China

Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
Aquatics Designer/Consultant: Water Technology Inc. (WTI)
Landscape Architect: Morphis
Contractor: China State Construction
Civil, Structural, & Geotechnical Engineering: AECOM
Interior Designers: Rockwell Groupo, CDC Designs, Westar Architects, OMA
Lighting Design: Inhabit Lighting
Facade Engineer: Inhabit Living Engineering

Set at a Melco resort in Macau, China, this 10,000-square-foot waterpark was designed to serve as a year-round tourist destination. It became especially important to offer an amenity of mass appeal, as Macau’s non-gaming initiative takes hold, phasing casinos out of the equation.

In this spirit, the waterpark features several innovative rides and features, with heavy sci-fi theming to tie it together.

Sci-fi adventure

The property presents plenty of thrills: an uphill water coaster, two slide towers with a raft ride, a tube ride, freefall slide, and dual mat racing slides. More active visitors can try out the surf simulator, wave generators or climbing wall.

Children’s play features draw younger families, while a lazy river carries guests around the spaces.

Features outside the water further enhance the experience. These include rentable cabanas, a restaurant and an elevated VIP area that overlooks the waterpark.

Sci-fi theming throughout the waterpark is meant to transport guests to a world of space travel. The acrylic Oblivion pool cantilevers off the face of the building. Its glass bottom gives the illusion that guests are floating through space as they look down on the world below. The spa-type pool is elevated three stories up and appears to be protruding from the building. Acrylic and concrete are used to create its gem-like appearance on the facade.

Designers crafted slide interiors to show a futuristic look, with bold, geometric designs, translucent tubes and colorful rings and dark flumes that make guests feel as if they’re traveling through time.

The Master Blaster ride takes 300 meters of twists and turns throughout the site, ending in the same spot. Large windows provide a view of the water park. A launch tower starts your journey into space by shooting guests through three water wormholes.

Special effects and animatronics further enhance the attractions.

The resort is located in a seismic zone, requiring extra attention for the mechanical room. Engineers had to individually isolate mechanical equipment with dampening systems as a precaution.

SUPPLIES:
Circulation Systems/Gutters: Xylem UK
Control Systems: BECS
Filtration: Evoqua, Pentair
Flooring: Life Floor
Pumps: Xylem UK, RiverFlow by Current Systems
Sanitization Systems: Evoqua
Slides: WhiteWater
Wave Machine: Murphy's Waves
Others: WOW International, Poolside Adventure