Work is to begin in early 2011 on a sustainable 'floating spa and wellness centre' concept, to be created around 10 minutes away from Amsterdam's city centre in the Netherlands.

The floating spa concept was originally developed by Studio Noach founders Kizito Musampa and Michel Kreuger, together with Dutch architect Anne Holtrop for a Designs of the Future competition at the Netherlands Architecture Institute in Rotterdam.

Created to be positioned in a lake near a city where plenty of fresh water is available, the coating of vegetation means CO2 is converted and the concept literally breathes oxygen, providing a unique take on wellness for the planet.

The Amsterdam-based spa will be located on the IJmeer fresh water lake. Its foundations will be made from GreenRexwall, a form of recycled polystyrene and exterior walls covered in an insulating layer of plants, thanks to an innovation by the vertical gardens expert Patrick Blanc.

Amsterdam-based biologist Remco Daalder will be consulted, as there are also plans to build a butterfly habitat on the island. Details: www.studionoach.nl, www.anneholtrop.nl, www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com