As part of a project with the Koryo Tour group, an architect working in North Korea was asked to design buildings suitable for sustainable tourism with no constraints on cost or possibilities. <br /><br />The aim was to tap into the creative spirit of those living and working in the DPRK and the results are currently on display at the Venice Architecture Biennale in Italy. <br />Here, a designer envisions a cluster of holiday villas overlooking a waterfall in the Mount Kumgang region.
As part of a project with the Koryo Tour group, an architect working in North Korea was asked to design buildings suitable for sustainable tourism with no constraints on cost or possibilities.

The aim was to tap into the creative spirit of those living and working in the DPRK and the results are currently on display at the Venice Architecture Biennale in Italy.
Here, a designer envisions a cluster of holiday villas overlooking a waterfall in the Mount Kumgang region.
Courtesy Koryo Tours
A futuristic silk cooperative that aims to bring together workers of the countryside has plenty of space for wind turbines and helicopter landing pads. <br />The style depicts a traditional Korean hand wheel which is used for weaving.
A futuristic silk cooperative that aims to bring together workers of the countryside has plenty of space for wind turbines and helicopter landing pads.
The style depicts a traditional Korean hand wheel which is used for weaving.
Courtesy Koryo Tours
A riverside guesthouse designed by North Korean architects called "The Bird's Nest." Many of the illustrations bear resemblance to old Korean structures. <br />The base of this building is designed with this in mind and aims to use timber sourced from the surrounding woods.
A riverside guesthouse designed by North Korean architects called "The Bird's Nest." Many of the illustrations bear resemblance to old Korean structures.
The base of this building is designed with this in mind and aims to use timber sourced from the surrounding woods.
Courtesy Koryo Tours
On the inside, The Bird's Nest caters for North Korean visions of luxury and relaxation.
On the inside, The Bird's Nest caters for North Korean visions of luxury and relaxation.
Courtesy Koryo Tours
Some designs appear more rooted in reality than others, which take big leaps into what the architects believe may be possible in the future. <br /><br />This image above shows a hotel and gondola on the West Sea Barrage in the port city of Nampo, an area currently without major accommodation facilities.
Some designs appear more rooted in reality than others, which take big leaps into what the architects believe may be possible in the future.

This image above shows a hotel and gondola on the West Sea Barrage in the port city of Nampo, an area currently without major accommodation facilities.
Courtey Koryo Tours
Exhibiting more blue-sky thinking, this image depicts a flying house that can double up as a hovercraft.
Exhibiting more blue-sky thinking, this image depicts a flying house that can double up as a hovercraft.
Courtesy Koryo Tours
Combining the old and the new, meanwhile, this nifty-looking bridge is designed to connect the famous mountains of Myohyangsan.
Combining the old and the new, meanwhile, this nifty-looking bridge is designed to connect the famous mountains of Myohyangsan.
Courtesy Koryo Tours
A woodland retreat on stilts. This secluded structure has four rooms catering for luxury accommodation as well as a helicopter landing pad to provide access.
A woodland retreat on stilts. This secluded structure has four rooms catering for luxury accommodation as well as a helicopter landing pad to provide access.
Courtesy Koryo Tours
On the inside, visitors interact with each other in an atrium designed to encourage interaction between holidaymakers.
On the inside, visitors interact with each other in an atrium designed to encourage interaction between holidaymakers.
Courtesy Koryo Tours
A collection of futuristic cone shaped buildings designed to appear like a steel and glass mountain range surge out of the countryside.
A collection of futuristic cone shaped buildings designed to appear like a steel and glass mountain range surge out of the countryside.
Courtesy Koryo Tours
Tapping in to a similarly environmental inspiration, this hotel envisioned for the Mount Kumgang area near the Korean DMZ has been designed in the shape of a tree.
Tapping in to a similarly environmental inspiration, this hotel envisioned for the Mount Kumgang area near the Korean DMZ has been designed in the shape of a tree.
Courtesy Koryo Tours
It wasn't just stationary buildings that the architect visualized. An energy efficient train that provides views of the countryside and runs on a track that allows plants to grow on top of it was also designed.
It wasn't just stationary buildings that the architect visualized. An energy efficient train that provides views of the countryside and runs on a track that allows plants to grow on top of it was also designed.
Courtesy Koryo Tours
The interior of a train designed to enable holidaymakers to view the North Korean countryside.
The interior of a train designed to enable holidaymakers to view the North Korean countryside.
Courtesy Koryo Tours