FLAMINGO RESERVE DUBAI

CONCEPT
SUSTAINABILITY GREEN ARCHITECTURE

PERIODE
2020

LOCATE
ABU DHABI

Al Wathba Wetland Reserve Visitor Center

Context

South-east of Abu Dhabi, the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve—a 5 km² protected area since 1998—hosts over 260 species of birds and wildlife including shrimp, scorpions, and lizards. Each autumn through spring, as many as 4,000 pink flamingos migrate here to breed and spend the cooler winter months.

Dubai Design Week invited concepts for a new visitor center programmed with an information hub, café, terrace, souvenir shop, specimen displays, training rooms, and car parking. Designs were expected to demonstrate sustainability and constructability while preserving the reserve’s delicate ecology.

Design Concept

Inspired by the rolling sand dunes, our proposal blends seamlessly with the landscape, ensuring the building merges with the natural habitat rather than intrudes upon it.
A green roof, planted with native drought-tolerant bushes and pockets of dry straw, expands the reserve’s habitat by providing additional nesting areas for birds and naturally reducing cooling loads and carbon emissions.

Key Features

Immersive

  • Elevated bird walk extending into the wetlands.
  • Rooftop viewing deck for close observation of nesting birds on the green roof.
  • Expansive shaded verandahs offering uninterrupted views from lounges, training rooms, café, and even the kitchen.

Non-Intrusive

  • Structure set on stilts to minimize excavation and ground disturbance.
  • Shaded parking integrated beneath the raised building.

Sustainable

  • Primary structure fabricated from recycled wood composites.
  • Green roof irrigated with treated grey water from the café.
  • Local wood lattice screens enable natural cross-ventilation during cooler months.
  • Wide verandah overhangs protect glazing from direct sun, lowering heat gain without sacrificing views.

Visitor Experience

The center is designed to connect children and adults with the reserve, offering school programs, guided walks, and immersive encounters with wildlife. Its architecture invites people to experience the wetlands up close while reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship.