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Glazed Façade and Green Roofs Enhancing Interaction with Nature

Author:
Hiba Fatima
Glazed Façade and Green Roofs Enhancing Interaction with Nature

Project in-detail

The integration of a glazed façade and green roofs creates a dynamic interaction with the surrounding ecosystem while serving as a visitor center in Abu Dhabi's Al Wathbah reserve.
5 key facts about this project
01
Glazed façade creates a visual effect of floating above the landscape.
02
Green roofs integrate with the ecosystem to support local biodiversity.
03
Small water bodies enhance micro-climates and provide habitats for aquatic species.
04
Seating areas encourage visitor interaction with nature throughout the reserve.
05
The layout mimics the flight path of flamingos, fostering an immersive experience.

Jنة الطيور, or Bird's Paradise, is located in Abu Dhabi and designed to bring people closer to nature. Situated in the Al Wathbah reserve, the visitor center aims to enhance educational experiences while showcasing the area's diverse ecosystems. Inspired by the flight of flamingos, the design reflects their graceful movement, resulting in a space that promotes interaction and discovery.

Architecture Concept

The visitor center features several distinct areas, including a display room, a cafeteria, and a training facility. Each area is organized to encourage visitors to engage with the rich biodiversity of the reserve. The layout supports a flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing guests to explore the narratives of local plant and animal life.

Design Features

A notable aspect of the center is its glazed façade on the ground level, which creates a visual effect of the building floating above the surrounding landscape. This design naturally invites sunlight into the space and fosters a connection to the outdoors. Light beige tones were chosen for the exterior, as they help reflect the local climate and lessen heat absorption.

Sustainable Strategies

Sustainability is an essential part of the design. Key features, such as green roofs and small water bodies, help create comfortable micro-climates and encourage local biodiversity. The layout includes seating areas and paths that invite visitors to interact with the nature around them, highlighting the importance of preserving the ecosystem while supporting small aquatic species.

Visitor Experience

Bird's Paradise is designed to provide an educational and entertaining experience for visitors. Natural cooling methods reduce reliance on artificial heating and cooling, complementing the building's energy-efficient design. Thoughtfully placed green areas help regulate temperatures, creating a pleasant environment for exploration and connection with the diverse plant and animal life in the reserve.

The presence of water bodies enriches the landscape, providing habitat options for various small aquatic species. These elements illustrate the ecological narrative the design seeks to convey, allowing guests to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the local environment.

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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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