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Rammed Earth Ziggurats Embracing Desert Biodiversity and Cultural Heritage

Authors:
Uli Schifferdecker, Daniel Nocker
Rammed Earth Ziggurats Embracing Desert Biodiversity and Cultural Heritage
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Rammed earth ziggurats rise from the desert landscape, integrating traditional Arab architectural principles to create a facility dedicated to wildlife study and environmental education.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls provide structural strength and thermal efficiency.
02
Three ziggurats serve dual purposes for service areas and observation points.
03
Windcatchers enhance natural ventilation, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling.
04
An educational garden showcases local and foreign plant species to promote biodiversity.
05
The layout reflects nomadic tent qualities, allowing flexible use of spaces.

Flamingo Harbour is located about an hour's drive from Abu Dhabi, near the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve. The facility serves as a space for studying wildlife while highlighting traditional Arab architectural principles. Its design draws on five key concepts: the ziggurat, the oasis, the nomad tent, the windcatcher, and rammed earth walls. Together, these elements combine purpose and meaning, reflecting both cultural heritage and modern requirements.

Ziggurat

The structure features three ziggurats with triangular bases, symbolizing humanity’s pursuit of the heavens. Each ziggurat has specific functions. The lower parts contain service areas, while the middle sections offer lookout points. At the top, windcatchers enhance natural ventilation. This design effectively uses passive cooling strategies to create a comfortable environment.

Oasis

The landscaped oasis provides an educational garden that showcases various local and foreign plants. This area allows visitors to learn about desert biodiversity while enjoying shaded spaces. Arranging plants near the glass façade helps control sunlight. It reduces heat and improves comfort, particularly during the low-angle sun in the mornings and evenings.

Nomad Tent

The design reflects qualities of a nomad tent by allowing flexible and open spaces. This adaptation makes the layout suitable for various activities and enhances visitor interaction. The airy configuration promotes different educational experiences within the museum's environment, encouraging visitors to explore and engage.

Windcatcher and Rammed Earth

Windcatchers serve as a way to cool the interiors naturally, showing a commitment to sustainable practices rooted in cultural history. The choice of rammed earth as the construction material adds strength and connects the building to local architectural traditions. This material choice also provides a tactile quality that harmonizes with the surrounding landscape.

Large glass panels create connections between indoor spaces and the natural environment outside. These windows invite light and bring views of the wetlands into the design, enriching the visitor experience and creating a tranquil atmosphere.

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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100,000€ Prize / 2025
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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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