Tropical London by Omar Paddam Sanchez

Tropical London by Omar Paddam Sanchez is a student project about making high-rise living feel more connected to nature, community and wellbeing.

The proposal reimagines an abandoned residential tower as a high-rise hotel, but the useful idea is broader than a change of use. It asks whether towers can support mental wellbeing rather than feeling sealed off from the city and the natural world.

Project overview

Omar developed Tropical London as a final project after studying at Ravensbourne University London. The scheme uses a tropical design language to soften the experience of high-rise architecture and create a stronger relationship between building users, planting, light and shared space.

The project sits within a wider interest in sustainable design and community wellbeing. It treats greenery as part of the architecture’s social purpose, not just a decorative layer.

What makes the project useful to study

• It uses biophilic design to challenge the feeling of isolated tower living.
• It links sustainability with mental wellbeing and community interaction.
• It gives an abandoned tower a new social and environmental purpose.
• It shows how a strong visual concept can support a wider design argument.

Portfolio lesson

If your project uses words like sustainable, biophilic or wellbeing, show the actual design decisions behind them. Include the spaces, routes, planting strategy, shared uses and environmental logic.

Architecture Social view

Stephen’s recruiter view is that sustainability has to be evidenced. The best student work shows how the idea changes space, behaviour and design judgement.

Next step

Explore more Architecture Social projects, read the portfolio guide, or submit your own project.

If this project has made you rethink your own portfolio or next move, browse current architecture jobs or contact Architecture Social for a recruiter’s view.