Bee Breeders has announced the Abu Dhabi Flamingo Observation Tower competition, in collaboration with Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD). The Abu Dhabi Flamingo Observation Tower competition is calling for submissions for designs for an observation tower in the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in Abu Dhabi. The man-made reserve in the UAE capital is home to a spectacular flock of some 4,000 migratory flamingos during the winter months.

Participants are being asked to create designs for an observation tower and accompanying boardwalk so that visitors can fully immerse themselves in the stunning wildlife of the reserve. Projects will need to be mindful of the unique environment, as well as have tahe potential to become an iconic landmark in the region.

The Abu Dhabi Flamingo Observation Tower competition is open now until April 30, 2019, with winners of the US $6,000 prize to be announced on July 18, 2019. 

The Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in Abu Dhabi is home to a uniquely diverse ecosystem. The artificial wetlands were created in the heart of the Middle East, on the East of Abu Dhabi island, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. Covering a total area of 5 km2, the reserve is comprised of wetlands, salt flats knowns as sabkhas, and fossilized sand dunes.

The reserve has become an oasis of animal and plant life, attracting innumerable species of diverse wildlife to settle within the wetlands. This includes abundant plant and aquatic life as well as over 250 species of birds, most notably the spectacular flock of flamingos that call the wetlands home.

The Abu Dhabi Flamingo Observation Tower competition is looking to celebrate these magnificent creatures by tasking participants with designing a new observation tower for the reserve. As the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) has expressed an interest in the construction of this tower, designs will need to be both in keeping with the look and purpose of the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, while having the potential to become an iconic landmark in its own right.

Eligibility

Competition is open to all. No professional qualification is required. Design proposals can be developed individually or by teams (4 team members maximum). Correspondence with organizers must be conducted in English; All information submitted by participants must be in English. 

Prizes

1st prize: US $3,000 / Publications Certificate of Achievement

2nd prize: US $1,500 / Publications Certificate of Achievement

3rd prize: US $500 / Publications Certificate of Achievement

BB Student Award: US $500  (more details here) / Publications Certificate of Achievement

BB Green Award: US $500 (more details here) / Publications Certificate of Achievement

The competition will select 6 Honorable Mentions.

Publication: The winners will get international art and design media coverage and will be featured on the Bee Breeders website and social pages. 

Certificate: Bee Breeders will also acknowledge the outstanding performance of all winners and honourable mentions with Certificates of Achievement.

Jury panel is composed of Audrey McKee from Renzo Piano Building Workshop in France, Carlos M Guimarães – depA, correspondent of A10 magazine in Portugal, Daniel Jacobs from SHoP Architects, New York City, USA, Gemawang Swaribathoro from OMA, Hong Kong, John Paul Rysavy from SHoP Architects, New York City, USA; And-Either-Or Austin, Texas and Brooklyn, New York, USA. See the competition's full jury panel here. 

Key dates for the competition

Closing date for registration: 30 April, 2019

Closing date for project submission: 13 June, 2019 (11.59pm GMT)

Announcement of the winners: 18 July, 2019

Competition brief, photographs and 2D - 3D images of the site can be downloaded from the competition website. Contact Bee Breeders to receive special student rates for group registrations (discount applies for 3+ registrations from one university/school) and to receive further information and support for getting your students involved in architecture competitions. 

Top image courtesy of Bee Breeders 

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