Design Brief Introduction: The Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi is home to a vibrance of wildlife, the most famous of which are its flamingo population. The magnificent waves of pink flock to the reserve every autumn to spend the cooler winter months residing in the wetlands until spring, as many as 4,000 at a time.

This proposal for a wildlife center embraces the surrounding natural systems offering spaces for education and observation. Two parallel timber-framed structures are clad in a system of terracotta baguettes and contain galleries, teaching spaces and visitor amenities. The building skin allows for natural ventilation and light to pass through spaces in controlled amounts. Conscious of the delicate habitat for which the facility is conceived, only a slight portion of each building is allowed to encroach into the nature reserve. From here views for visitors and framed.