Mezyad Fort
IGA role: Collaboration on the design concept and development
Collaboration: Gustafson Porter, London
Location: Al Ain, UAE
The project site lies to the south of Al Ain between the settlement of Mezyad and Jabel Hafit. It measures approximately 9km x 3km, consisting of a 19th century Fort to be converted into a high end hotel and resort next to 300 hectares of land restored as a natural reserve for the endangered endemic species.
A series of walks are characteristics of the space. The Earth Walk covers the foothills and ground plane, the Sky Walk covers what’s beyond the plain and horizon, the Plant Walk covers the savannah and oasis. The fourth walk revolves around Free Form, as the park is naturally filled with other features and activities off the prescribed walks.
The design relies on the creation of a visitor attraction within the surrounding desert landscape. Both the hotel and the visitor center are to be self-sufficient with a sustainable design encouraging local produce, art crafts and traditions. Satellite comfort and observation posts, comfort zones and restrooms, amphitheater for events spread on designed and controlled paths created to provide an informative and unique experience of the desert park.
The project proposes different tours where each relies on the observation of flora, fauna, geology and emphasizes man’s interaction with the landscape in the past, present and future. However each of these three tours represents a different character of habitat and landscape, many of which carry the traces of man over the ages.
Bespoke walks up to the viewing platform of Jebel Hafit, the lost valley of Wadi Tarabat, and the Desert Border Garden can be reached through several means such as Pony and Camel Treks. Otherwise, when it is too far or hot to walk during the day, this disadvantage is turned positive through special low-impact electric vehicles charged under solar panel shelters continuously providing transport under the sun.
