Squire & Partners led the design of a new landscape masterplan in Abu Dhabi for Ghadan 21, an accelerator programme aimed at transforming the capital's public realm, streetscapes and urban parks.
Proposals reinvent an inhospitable express highway running through the centre of Abu Dhabi. Lacking existing pedestrian infrastructure, the concept was to transform the public realm and streetscape along the historic Airport Road, in an area that serves as a prominent tourist destination, bringing people together with vibrant, sculptural interventions and inviting them to travel the full length of the road or join it at any point.
Located in the largest retail and commercial precinct in Downtown Abu Dhabi, designs reimagine the intersections of the highway as a metaphorical journey from the past to the future and of the ruling family’s journey from Al Ain to Abu Dhabi, and combine many elements of Abu Dhabi’s culture.
Client Department of Municipalities and Transport
Lead Architect and Designer Squire & Partners
BDP Delivery Architect & Urban Designer
Sustainability Consultant Buro Happold
Status Competition Design 2019
The proposed interventions comprise a series of experiences at major junctions, including: desert sculpture parks, light sculptures, tree walks, bridges, textile shading structures, roadside parks and a rolling pavilion programme.
An amphitheatre is suggested for play, events and cultural public attractions, and at the end of the journey an observation tower serves as a metaphor – signifying the continuation of the journey onto the future and to other lands, whilst offering the chance to look back along the road to the past.
