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Form follows flamingo
The flamingo observation tower aims to provide visitors with a spiritual place to appreciate and contemplate the breathtaking beauty of the flora and fauna of the Al Wathaba wetland.
As the visitor embarks on the journey towards the observation tower, the boardwalk becomes an experiential path that gradually relieves one from the stress of everyday life. With each step across the boardwalk pebbels, the visitor immerses deeper into the natural habitat of the flamingo. The path culminates in a wooden crystal-shape object soaring towards the sky. Its rich earthy texture lets the building blend in with its sandy environment.
The entrance extending over two floors lures the visitor into its shaded cavernous space in which two ornamental stairs spiral towards the upper floors. While ascending, the visitor recognizes intricate shadow patterns on the skin. A quick gaze to the ceiling reveals their origin. The building´s skin is made of innumerable fibers forming a huge translucent membrane. As wind and sunlight penetrate the opening, a unique experience is created, specific to the time of day and year.
As the visitor reaches the top floor, the building´s skin displays a novel structure and quality consisting of ropes running across the walls. Since the distances between the ropes gradually change, a steady density gradient emerges which not only contributes to the complex illumination of the space but also keeps on obstructing the views. The viewer steps toward the wall and reaches out with both hands, ropes sliding across fingers. The sensation of the rough surface feels pleasant on the skin. The person makes a surprising observation: the ropes can be pushed aside. Suddenly a curvilinear opening arises in front of the visitor.
Now there is no obstruction anymore. The Al Wathaba wetland unfolds in all its beauty. A flamingo rises undisturbed into the sky.