5 key facts about this project
The PINK LINE proposal integrates the Al-Wathba Wetland Reserve in Abu Dhabi with a national reforestation effort. It focuses on creating a unique experience for visitors while prioritizing ecological sustainability and cultural significance. The design revolves around a minimalist pink boardwalk that smoothly elevates into a viewing platform, establishing a thoughtful connection between the natural landscape and its architectural elements.
Design Concept
The boardwalk serves as both a path and a place to observe. It rises gradually, allowing visitors to traverse the wetland with minimal disruption to the environment. This design encourages an engagement with nature, providing opportunities for exploration while respecting the local ecosystem.
Structural System
The elevated platform is supported by a galvanized metal grating system. This choice provides durability while allowing light and views to pass through, keeping a visual connection with the environment below. Intersecting beams and pairs of columns support the structure, flaring outward from a shared foundation. This design approach effectively spreads weight while reducing the impact on the ground, addressing the need for ecological preservation.
Cultural Integration
A key feature of the design involves the indigenous Date Palm trees, which enhance the experience for visitors by offering shade and connecting the space to its surroundings. The palms are arranged similarly to columns in traditional mosques, reinforcing the local architectural language. This relationship ties the design closely to the cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi.
Visual Identity
The bold pink color of the platform adds to the sense of place, referencing the delicate forms of flamingos while creating a distinct visual character for the wetlands. This color choice not only invites exploration but also contributes to the overall appearance of the site, establishing a relationship between the architecture and the natural elements.
As sunlight moves throughout the day, it casts patterns across the galvanized grating, creating a changing interplay of light and shadow. This dynamic effect enriches the visitor experience and underscores the connection between the structure and its natural setting.
