H+S approached the Governorate of Musandam with the idea of transforming it into a landmark, which aims to revive this forgotten gem. At the initial stages of the design process, there were various options and ways on how to tackle this project, one of them being to replicate the island to its original state. After carefully evaluating the site, and studying the ultimate ways to protect the island and the nature surrounding it, the design process kickstarted.
The project was designed keeping in mind the usage of the building as well as the imminent importance of protecting the island itself and its surroundings. The island is located on a prime snorkeling hub and is often visited by divers, thanks to the mangroves surrounding it and the fact that it is in the heart of a lagoon, and in a very scenic location.
The initial concept was to have a building meant to be an art installation to represent the shadow of the earlier structure. The design team then saw a key opportunity to highlight this island and the structures on it as a functional building which will bring attention and visitors to Musandam and protect nature at the same time.
The building concept is designed as an art installation which is functional and can be used for exhibitions and other events. The look mirrors the surroundings, a jewel in the middle of the Arabian peninsula. The project consists of a simple and unique design which will complement its surrounding landscapes, and doesn’t take away from the beauty of the nature that surrounds it. The building structure will be surrounded by various elements including a welcoming arrival jetty, clearly defined pathways, Cement base cables made out of the existing concrete, which will be used as seats, wayfinding elements to guide the visitors around the island, and viewing points equipped with informative boards, telescopes and platforms.
It is worth noting that the island’s original foundation was not altered, the glass box was merely placed on top. The design team took various steps to protect the island as much as possible, for example by placing buoys around it, in order to protect the corals from anchoring ships nearby. Once constructed, life will return to this abandoned island, whilst maintaining a building t hat embraces sustainability by recycling air for the AC system and reusing water for irrigation, minimizing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency.