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Dynamic Diagrid Structure with Aluminum Facade for Ecotourism Visitor Centre

Authors:
Dana Aldweik, Jhony Gonzalez-caracheo, Jincheng Chen, Sergio Sedano
Dynamic Diagrid Structure with Aluminum Facade for Ecotourism Visitor Centre

Project in-detail

The striking use of a diagrid structure and aluminum facade harmonizes with the surrounding environment, creating a visitor centre dedicated to ecotourism and education focused on local wildlife.
5 key facts about this project
01
The visitor centre incorporates a diagrid system that provides structural support and aesthetic harmony.
02
The design features a concrete platform that supports three distinct buildings for various functions.
03
An aluminum facade enhances the building's visual appeal while promoting energy efficiency.
04
Native greenery fills negative spaces of the diagrid, integrating the architecture with the surrounding landscape.
05
Strategic window placements create natural light and vistas, enhancing visitor engagement with the environment.

Origami Oasi is located in Abu Dhabi and operates as a Flamingo Visitor Centre that brings together education and ecotourism. The design concept emphasizes a blend of structured buildings and natural landscapes, creating a balanced environment for wildlife and visitors alike. The architecture aims to provide a unique experience, encouraging people to learn about and interact with the local ecosystem.

Design Concept and Spatial Organization

The design uses a diagrid system that defines clear spatial boundaries for the various buildings within the centre. This grid guides the arrangement of three distinct structures on a concrete platform. Each building serves a specific purpose, including spaces for information, shopping, and learning. This thoughtful positioning supports educational activities related to bird-watching and ecotourism, enhancing the overall functionality of the visitor centre.

Access and Interaction

Three main entry points lead visitors into a central plaza, which acts as a unifying space among the buildings. This courtyard invites people in with its open design and encourages movement throughout the centre. Well-placed windows and prominent entrances facilitate easy navigation, while a café terrace provides spots for relaxation and contemplation of the natural surroundings.

Landscape Integration

The landscape design fills negative spaces created by the diagrid with native greenery. This approach softens the hard lines of the buildings, allowing them to blend more naturally with the environment. By including vegetation, the design not only enhances visual appeal but also supports local wildlife, contributing to an ecosystem that is both inviting and sustainable.

Materials and Sustainability

The visitor centre features an aluminum façade that adds to its overall aesthetic while serving practical needs. Solar panels are an essential part of the project, supporting energy requirements through renewable sources. This use of sustainable technology showcases a commitment to environmentally conscious design, ensuring that the architectural choices align with modern ecological values.

The arrangement of concave and convex forms throughout the design creates intimate spaces for seating and observation. These areas invite guests to connect with the architecture and the surrounding landscape, making for an experience that is both engaging and educational.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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