OFFICE 133
PEARL PATH – Al Muharraq
The Bahrain Pearling Pathway in Muharraq is a 3.5km UNESCO heritage site connecting oyster beds, segments of coastline and a number of historical buildings associated with the ancient pearling industry, among them Dar Al Jinaa (OFFICE 126). Unraveling within the maze-like city centre, the project identifies 18 vacant lots as potential public squares: two have been completed. The squares are planted with a dense grid of trees that rise through circular openings in the paving, made of a special concrete incorporating iridescent white nacre. These oasis-like environments are additionally cooled by a piping system, creating protected microclimates with benches and drinking wells. The series of spaces are connected as in a breadcrumb trail, with visitors being directed from one site to the next by lampposts of polished, pearlescent concrete that extend beyond the squares, lighting the way.
Year
2012 – 2021
Location
Al Muharraq, BH
Type
Public, Infrastructure,
Status
Built
Client
Bahrain Ministry of Culture
Collaborator(s)
Bureau Bas Smets, Gulf House Engineering, Transsolar
Design team
Kersten Geers, David Van Severen, Federico Perugini, Anna Andrich, Nenad Đurić, Alexandra Paritzky, Denis Glauden, Paul Christian
Award
Aga Khan Award for Architecture
Photographs
Bas Princen