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Wicker Panels Enhance Visitor Experience at Wetland Reserve

Author:
Victor John Gregory
Wicker Panels Enhance Visitor Experience at Wetland Reserve
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Inspired by the form of a flamingo's nest, the Visitor Center utilizes date palm materials and wicker panels to create a sustainable space that enhances visitor engagement with the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve.
5 key facts about this project
01
Inspired by the shape of a flamingo's mound.
02
Utilizes local date palm materials for construction.
03
Incorporates wind tower for natural ventilation.
04
Features modern wicker panels for aesthetic and functional use.
05
Designed to enhance engagement with the wetland ecosystem.

The Flamingo Visitor Center is located in the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in Abu Dhabi, a region known for its rich ecosystem that covers 5 square kilometers. This center serves as a place for education and recreation, aimed at raising awareness about local wildlife, particularly the flamingos that inhabit the area. The design draws inspiration from the shape of a flamingo's mound or nest, creating a strong connection to nature while evoking feelings of comfort and familiarity.

Architectural Form
The building features a flowing, organic shape that integrates with the surrounding landscape. By using a form that is rotated, sliced, and articulated, the structure appears to rise from the ground, enhancing its relationship with the natural environment. This design approach supports various functions and creates a diverse experience for visitors.

Materials and Craftsmanship
Material choice is important to the design, focusing on sustainability and local context. The project suggests using date palm materials to make modern wicker panels for both the outside and inside of the center. This choice connects the architecture to local culture, using traditional techniques while adapting them for modern applications.

Environmental Integration
A wind tower is incorporated into the design to provide natural ventilation. This element helps keep the interior comfortable without relying on mechanical cooling. It serves both as a practical feature and as a representation of Abu Dhabi's architectural history, linking the past with the present.

Sustainable Practices
The construction process emphasizes sustainability through modular building techniques, which aim to lower costs and speed up the construction timeline. Using pin foundations helps reduce excavation and limits the use of concrete, reflecting a commitment to environmentally friendly practices. These methods aim to lessen the project’s impact on the environment while ensuring structural stability.

A distinct design detail is the pattern created by the wicker panels. This feature allows light to filter through, casting interesting shadows in the interior spaces, enhancing the overall experience for visitors while maintaining a connection to the natural world.

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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.

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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
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