Shortlisted International Competition Entry 

Al Wathba Wetland Reserve located 40 kilometers southeast of Abu Dhabi. Established in 1998, it is comprised of five square kilometers of wetlands, salt flats, and fossilized sands and dunes. The reserve is known for an array of plant and animal species, such as the black-winged stilt and the indigenous spiny-tailed lizard. The Al Wathba Wetland Reserve's most notable visitors are the flamingo flocks that migrate here each winter by the thousands. Flamingos stay close to salty bodies of shallow water, build their nests at the water's edges, and search for food within the water.

The Abu Dhabi Flamingo Observation Tower competition tasked participants with proposing designs for a flamingo observation platform and connecting boardwalk. Intended as a new architectural landmark for the wetlands, the platform will supplement the reserve's existing visitor experience center, network of trails, and a bird hide. The competition brief asked that the bird observation platform be limited to a floor area of 400 m² and height of 12m, that it be durable, easy to maintain, and handicapped-accessible. Modular assembly and total construction costs estimated at a limit of US $200,000 were advised.

The jury reviewed competition entries based on environmental-responsibility, energy-efficient construction methods that considered minimal excavation and limited road access given the site's remote location within the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve.

Introduction 

The Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is so important being a wetland area within a largely hyper arid environment. The reserve demonstrates life in action through showcasing various living species, the resident flamingos feeding on the shrimps in the water, the migratory birds, mammals, reptiles and plants living in the area. The whole Eco-system is in vibrant movement giving chance to visitors to experience life cycles throughout the year.

• This Project is Environmentally Friendly. All materials used are organic materials that do not harm nature.
• This Project is Accessible to People of Determination (Special Needs).
• Minimum Excavation Works due to Site Sensitivity. 

Concept 

The initial concept is derived from the forces of change and continuity in the endless journey of birds migrating annually from and to the reserve.Taking the human needs and movement requirements into consideration.The overall form symbolizes this endless movement through the Infinity Sign.

1. The observatory is placed along the visitors regular boardwalk 
2. Movement forces affected the linearity of the track in the shape of infinity sign to symbolize the cycles of life and the curvilinear movement of birds
3. An uplifting force affected the track to make it high enough (12 meters) to view all parts of the reserve.
4. The structural system is inspired by the impressive view of the legs of Flamingos flock, standing and dancing  side to side next to each other.

The Greater Flamingo is one of the most important bird species regionally and in the reserve itself.

Flamingo feathers color differs according to the pigments included in the food they eat. The railing design abstracted this natural concept through spaces between railing battens allowing visitors to be partially visible while moving over the observatory walk.

Both the boardwalk and the observatory walk are designed to keep the movement of visitors at a suitable distance from natural ground in a gesture of good conservation of nature with its soil and water as the habitat for native Flora and Fauna.

Exploded Diagrams & Realizing Concept

1. Wooden Railing: 2” x 2” Wooden battens with 3” spacing fixed to the side of the deck allowing bird watching and security.
2. Observatory Ramped Walk: The curved observatory has an 8% slope. A comfortable journey for visitors on their way up and down the walk.
3. Round Timber Posts: 12” Diameter round posts allowing visual continuity planted into the ground with minimal excavation works not to disturb the land and the species living at the reserve.

Isometric Diagram 

The whole structure acts as an Observatory with multiple chances to view every part of the reserve in all directions , giving the visitor a wider understanding of the surrounding environment.