Project
Oryx Caravanserai
Category
Best Project of Public Building or Facility
About the project (provided by the applicant)
This architecture integrates traditional Arabian tents and caravanserais within an oryx habitat, aiming to develop a new strategy for coexistence. The Oryx Caravanserai is positioned between an oasis and desert activities, promoting interaction between oryx and people to the north while transforming into a resort in the south for diverse users.
The façade uses curtains to shield against direct sunlight and strong sand winds. Observation voids on hotel roofs allow views of the Milky Way from private areas and corridors. Concrete slabs supported by wooden columns are wrapped in tent fabric, blending privacy with the feel of an Arabian tent. Concrete walls behind the fabric reduce cooling energy, and the desert surface extends into the hotel, creating a unique atmosphere. The northern courtyard oasis enables close-up feeding and observation of oryx. This design effectively merges two habitats, offering a novel desert living space for all users.
Location
Oryx protected area, Abu-Dhabi, UAE
Project design year
2022
Extra visual materials
https://napstudio.co/portfolio/oryx-caravanserai-2/
Applicant
Narrative Place studio is a place where assumptions are challenged. This leads to a new perspective on subjects, allowing us to understand phenomena and events differently from their initial nature. Narrative means how these events are represented. In fact, with architectural tools, we showcase various aspects of experiences and, with this approach, shape the events around us.
Authors of the project
Farbod Yamani, Saman Macvand
Status of the project
Conceptual design
