The proposal by Influx_Studio for the Bab Al Bahrain Urban Oasis explores

the value of the cultural and natural landscape inheritance as a design

opportunity to address climate issues in public space, while catalyzing the
urban potential of the site in the emerging new city urbanity. Urban Oasis is
called to be the most important public space of Manama, embodying its
dynamic character and showcasing its new sustainable identity.

A quiet but profound urban makeover is taking place at Bahrain and

especially at its capital, Manama. The city is evolving in the global economy
and becoming the financial hub of the Middle East. A new urban shape is
being unveiled witnessing a dramatic transformation of the urban fabric,
opposing two different urban scales from the traditional historic city, through
the new breathtaking waterfront skyline.
Hybridizing urban space with landscape and ecology, the BAB Urban Oasis
represents by its strategic position and historical importance, a great
opportunity to create an exceptional and lively metropolitan interface, able to
link and gather both, the historical tight-knit urban fabric and the new modern
city front. The key issue is how to allow this soft transition while integrating
both, values from historic urban tradition and from modern dynamics,
embodying local landscape character and defining a strong landmark image for
this strategic gathering place of Manama.

The current dependence on the car as primary means of transport furthers

several difficulties. A ‘drive-in open space’ mentality has been developed.
Therefore the main strategy to reinstate a strong sense of place is to transform
the “passing through” condition of the square into a “stay in” condition. In the
aim to provide a pleasant pedestrian environment, it must become a social hub
with great attractiveness, with a maximum degree of social interaction and
activity. This pedestrian new vocation of BAB Square is a key condition to ensure
spatial relationships to connect and recognize the nearby neighborhood context.
The urban strategy consists in moving down to the underground level the current
circulation pathway in front of BAB, giving access by the way direct to the underground
parking of the Square. This underground by-pass will allow relieving congestion in the
traffic over the Historic gate, enhancing East- West urban connectivity, with a more
fluid express way.

This measure allows the redesigning of the existing runabout in order to facilitate
pedestrian crossing and minimize the presence of cars within the square, sewing the
cut created by the Government Avenue. Moreover, a new large unifying pavement
surface will integrate a quiet urban drop-off zone for the new Square and the BAB
building. The access to the Suq by car under the archways of the Bab Al Bahrain will be
still allowed enhancing the position of the building as a gateway to the City. This new
shared interface will encompasses new forms of accessibility and attracts people from
all directions to have a great urban experience.
Envisioning a progressive attitude towards sustainability in the MENA region, the
proposal introduces an integrated cultural and ecological vision for Bab Al Bahrain.
Very careful attention has been given to sustainable design principles, in terms to
create a main bioclimatic passive strategy, which allow with simply good practices the
emerging of a unique and world class public space. The BAB Urban Oasis proposal
looks forward to activate the use of outdoor spaces throughout the day, using passive
cooling devices to naturally cool and mitigate the hot daytime environment. Threes,
plantings, land modulations greening, innovative buildings and shade structures are all
key figures to shape a more pleasant environment and to increase a wide range of
outdoor activities
The project is composed of three main layers evolving in a symbiotic and sustainable
way. In response to the climate, a monumental urban canopy like a sun umbrella will
provide shade, shelter, and comfort to the pedestrian areas placed below. Climate
comfort ensures having a meeting place that offers a relaxed natural atmosphere, a
real oasis away from the stress of urban conditions, experiencing well-being and
nature in an organic artificial topography. Over the cultural programs and under the
shade canopy, a large open space is defined by its artificial geography. It groups silent
and shaded calm zones along its gardens patios and green slopes, rather than offering
a traditional public space. The public urban ground level, with its open spaces, water
landscaping and main public pedestrian and car access, will host the principal cultural
and urban facilities. A gentle descending slope garden will draws people towards a
central entrance accessing some programs and parking.
.
URBAN OASIS - BAB AL
BAHRAIN (CONCEPTUAL
PROPOSAL)
Location: Government Avenue, Manama,
Bahrain
Client: Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom
of Bahrain
Building status: Concept proposal
Number of stories: 2
Site size: 39400 m2
Site type: Urban
Building area: 10000 m2