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Galvanized Metal Grating and Pink Platform Overlooking a Wetland Reserve

Authors:
Tucker de vazquez Architecture, Sheryl Tucker devazquez, Jose Vazquez, Ferdous Kabir
Galvanized Metal Grating and Pink Platform Overlooking a Wetland Reserve

Project in-detail

A vivid pink platform made from galvanized metal grating rises above the Al-Wathba Wetland Reserve, offering shaded views framed by indigenous Date Palms while serving as a pathway for visitors to engage with the unique ecosystem.
5 key facts about this project
01
A pink color scheme references the delicate architecture of flamingos.
02
The platform’s design minimizes ecological impact while enhancing visitor interaction.
03
Galvanized metal grating allows light and views between structural elements.
04
Rows of Date Palms reflect traditional mosque column arrangements.
05
Elevated pathways provide viewpoints over the unique wetland ecosystem.

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.

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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

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