The Butterfly Pavilion at Noor Island: A Fusion of Nature, Technology, and Design

On Noor Island, a lagoon destination in the heart of Sharjah, the German design studio 3deluxe has created an innovative landscape park that merges architecture, technology, and natural beauty. Spanning 2.5 hectares, this transmedia park is envisioned as a multisensory experience that invites visitors to explore new urban spaces both intellectually and emotionally. At its core stands the Butterfly Pavilion, an architectural landmark that defines the island’s identity and serves as its central attraction.

An Architectural Icon in Sharjah

The Butterfly Pavilion is the most striking structure on Noor Island, distinguished by its expansive ornamental shading roof. More than just a shelter, this biomorphic canopy creates a unique spatial identity for the island and provides the environmental framework for a tropical biosphere. Inside, visitors encounter a world where more than 500 butterflies thrive within a controlled ecosystem designed to replicate the atmosphere of a rainforest.

The design blends modern parametric strategies with motifs inspired by traditional Arabian ornamentation. This dialogue between past and present results in a highly complex roof geometry composed of a lightweight 3D frame adorned with over 4,000 golden aluminum elements. The shimmering roof becomes a sculptural feature that reflects both cultural heritage and contemporary architectural innovation.

Construction of the Golden Roof

The shading canopy performs both symbolic and functional roles. Its geometry enhances the natural chimney effect, drawing warm air upwards while allowing cooler, humidified air to flow in through strategically placed water pools. Although the roof reaches heights of up to 13 meters and covers a surface of 800 square meters, its structural system remains remarkably slender. Supported by only nine points and three tapering pillars, the 200-millimeter-thick frame achieves an appearance of lightness despite its scale.

The prefabricated elements were assembled on-site with intelligent node connectors, which unify multiple connection angles into a single fastening system. Integrated LED lighting transforms the structure at night, with fluid light sequences evoking the motion of butterfly swarms and enhancing the meditative character of the island.

A Challenge in Color and Material

One of the pavilion’s defining features is its golden appearance. Developing a finish that could withstand the maritime climate of Sharjah posed a significant challenge. The design team employed a combination of wet paint, powder coating, and anodized aluminum, ensuring the golden tone remained consistent across steel, molded, and aluminum surfaces. A final coat was applied on-site, guaranteeing durability against salt, heat, UV radiation, and sandstorms.

The Pavilion Beneath the Roof

Nestled under the canopy is a polygonal glass volume that houses the Butterfly Aviary. This transparent structure contains a rainforest ecosystem within a sealed climate envelope, maintaining ideal conditions for the butterflies and tropical plants. Organically shaped skylights filter natural light into the biotope, creating an interior atmosphere reminiscent of a dense jungle canopy where light and shadow shift throughout the day.

The Butterfly Aviary – A Living Biosphere

The aviary spans 230 square meters and combines futuristic design with ecological function. Islands of tropical vegetation emerge from a seamless white landscape crafted from thermoformed KRION®, its surfaces adorned with a non-repetitive ornamental print that echoes the pavilion’s roof motif. Within this immersive setting, more than 500 butterflies can be observed at all stages of their life cycle, making the pavilion not only a visual spectacle but also an educational experience.

Noor Island Café

Complementing the aviary is the Noor Island Café, designed as a modern lounge inspired by the form of a water lily. A sculptural ceiling installation made of light fabric ribbons hovers above the seating area, while petal-like partitions create intimate zones without fully enclosing them. White surfaces dominate the interior, offering a refreshing contrast to the exterior climate. After sunset, the lighting shifts, projecting playful patterns through the ornamental roof and transforming the café into a contemplative space for relaxation.

A Multisensory Urban Experience

The Butterfly Pavilion, together with the installations, plantings, and soundscapes across Noor Island, embodies 3deluxe’s principle of creating multilayered atmospheres. The interplay of light and shadow, natural and artificial elements, and modern and traditional aesthetics results in an experience that transcends conventional architecture. Commissioned by Shurooq and initiated by André Heller, the project demonstrates the potential of transdisciplinary design to enrich urban life without being bound by purely functional or commercial constraints.

Noor Island’s Butterfly Pavilion is more than a building; it is a cultural landmark that illustrates how architecture can foster curiosity, contemplation, and engagement with both nature and technology. Through its intricate design and immersive environment, it redefines what a contemporary urban park can be.

Photography: Björn Asmussen