A black-and-white illustration of an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage in front of a leafless tree at Prospect Park.

Project

Date

Location

Status

Material

Function

Team
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ABWAB PAVILION PROPOSAL

2020

Dubai, UAE

Design proposal

Metallic Structure

Pavilion proposal for ABWAB

Etienne Bastormagi
Maya Oraiby (landscape)
Aya Youssef
Fatima Matari

  • During Covid-19 pandemic, nature is believed to be ‘reclaiming’ Earth again (thehindu.com). Similarly, nature is reclaiming the City -once been its habitat- again. Wildlife including animals, insects and plants have been spotted invading backyards, streets and urban parks around the world recently, during the pandemic. Birdsongs were heard more often around cities and towns during lockdown.

A site plan with a cluster of circular garden beds filled with various plants in the center and surrounding pathways.

  • Likewise, in the UAE people have noticed ‘more birdsongs than ever’ during lockdown

    (thenational.ae)

    Once streets have been cleared from city dwellers –who often cause traffic and noise pollution, birds have been returning to the city in an attempt to re-appropriate what was once part of their initial natural habitat.

    Despite some species being adapted to urban settings and human presence, birds remain wild and human disruption could affect their behavior widely (thenational.ae)

Architectural design drawing of a series of elevated garden platforms with plants and greenery, supported by thin columns.
A white, plastic, circular, layered puzzle with interlocking pieces and multiple peg holes sits on a reflective surface.
A tea infuser ball with a bamboo handle resting on a white surface.

  • In a paralleled step to the ‘reclamation’ phenomenon of both Earth and the City that nature has already started globally through wildlife appropriating empty spaces, and as part of this urban ecological initiative, bringing nature back to invade the city of Dubai through design becomes essential. This is especially momentous to bringing back some aspects of the desert ecosystem to which wildlife, and particularly birds in the UAE might belong to, especially when desert land constitutes around 80% of the UAE’s land area and is clearly the most predominant ecosystem in the region.

Architectural model of interconnected white circular platforms and structures on a white background.
Diagram of a greenhouse structure with labeled sections including structural beams, planting meshes, metallic mesh, species space, and canopy section detail, featuring various plants and growth areas.
A detailed digital 3D rendering of a modern botanical garden with multiple circular and freeform raised garden beds filled with various plants, succulents, and flowers, supported by tall, thin columns, with pathways connecting the different sections.

  • Sand and native species of shrubs and bushes are brought to place to make stay in the city the resident birds who made a comeback and to attract many more species.

    Some plant species are precisely selected to attract butterflies and pollinators. Additionally, water sources will be provided all around the installation to ensure the wellbeing and hydration of all returning living organisms.

    Their presence along with the arid desert mood are meant to turn urban spaces and humans into the intruders/visitors in what was originally a desert land habitat. This is as a turning game where nature takes over temporarily, but invasively.

    The rich biodiversity that a desert ecosystem brings with, is a phenomenon that should be celebrated wherever possible, and this design initiative during these challenging times could not be more appropriate for such a celebration.