The OASIS
Year : 2019
Status : Unbuilt
Location : Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, Abu Dhabi
Function : Observatory
Design Team : Toshiki Hirano

 Rather than creating a piece of tower which is disconnected from the surrounding context, this project fuses itself with the landscape yet defamiliarizes the context to become an iconic landmark of the reserve. Here, the concept of defamiliarization is about triggering a unique evolution in the ecosystem of the reserve by actively engaging with it not by merely preserving the status quo. This concept is from the fact that Al Wathba Wetland Reserve has been formed not purely by natural processes but by a highly unique combination of natural and artificial processes.
Every element of this project is for achieving this concept by creating diverse micro climatic conditions within the structure for both human and non-human beings. Tubular structures function as apparatus for enhancing a stack effect, shades, and platforms for different local vegetations and animals. High trees around the observation deck are for creating shades from the direct sunlight and their positions are determined by a sunlight radiation analysis of the structure. Mist from the golden fake palm tree sprayers creates different thermal environments.

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