Flamingo Visitor Center — Abu Dhabi, UAE


The approach of the proposal originated through the understanding of the land, and its own morphology. We have been fascinated and interested by what horizontality has to offer and create. Revolving around what horizontality would have meant to us, we found ourselves dealing with a sense of calmness, acceptance, stretching horizons and continuity. While the land seamlessly houses changes in its landscape, dry and wet seems to coexist in an uninterrupted and sophisticated way. A sense of acceptance could be found, we feel it, and so the wild population that inhabit the place, generating a unique habitat worthy of being called home.

Horizontality normally establishes a strong and decisive contrast between the land and the sky. This contrast generates a space where the human sight is able to catch details which are otherwise missed, often due to the blurred relationships. The design aims to develop an architecture that finds itself into that space, able to provide shelter to a vast array of activities with the ultimate goal of capturing those moments that the land, its population and the environment have to offer. Following the brief, a regular rhythm of UC steel beams lay on the competition site requiring minimal excavation.

The punctual landing of the structure ensures a sense of lightness, almost ethereal, like a temporary structure, similar to a tent that provides a roof that can be removed and installed elsewhere. Crossing Vierendeel truss allow for a generous column free span achieving that condition of continuity/uninterrupted we described at the very beginning, which inevitably connects with the nature of the land. A continuous perimeter fascia provides rigidity and stability to the main structural system, which is easy to assemble and to maintain, while a case all around hosts all technical equipment such as HVAC unit, lighting drivers, converters, and electrical main panels. Roof panels with integrated solar system to fill up the void that the structural grid generates, their inclination ensure optimal solar exposure collecting enough electrical supply that makes the building self-sufficient. A metal grille terrace lies on top of them providing the customer with a breath-taking and unobstructed view to the whole wet land, allowing the sun rays to pass through it without compromising the solar system functionality. Inside, the internal spaces are designed with a continuous surface, a seamless concrete slab unfolds to create different levels with an open plan layout where the various programmes are arranged as an interactive journey.

Lifting the entry level 1 (one) meter above grade, it generates a virtual transition between the building and the parking lot. Welcomed by the entry foyer the experience begins with a vast array of possibilities constantly furnished by custom designed display elements guiding the learning experience. Whether by a ramp or a wide staircase the user is always taken into action as the main character, trajectories and views fly across the space unobstructed, while courtyards are breaking down the space, generating episodic pauses and simultaneously furnishing the walkways with a series of rich landscapes, providing additional habitats for the wild population around. Opening such as courtyards allow the landscape to penetrate within while functioning as chimneys to provide natural cross stack ventilation. When open, these big enclosed gardens interact with the user offering a full intense experience throughout all senses. A big ramp takes the journey 1.25 meter below grade allowing a leveled sight to the flamingos and simultaneously opening an even broader sight to the sky above them.

A simple building, with a simple geometry and simple construction, with a layer of complexity that can be experienced, felt, ultimately owned. An interactive journey into the land to learn the beauty of it, as well as the beauty of nature and its complexity in its own simplicity.