ArchShowcase Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Khwar Awqad Sustainable Community in Salalah, Oman by Klingmann ArchitectsJune 25th, 2011 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Klingmann Architects Klingmann Architects and Brand Consultants (KABC) uses a unique approach to creating new developments in emerging markets that will bring regions into the future while improving the economy, attracting tourists, and paying tribute to local culture and the identity of the region. This is a holistic approach focused on “inside-out branding”– environmentally, economically, socially, and culturally sustainable development that is not a cookie-cutter copy of every other development, but is tailored to each individual region.
Khwar Awqad is KABC’s current project that uses these tenets. Khwar Awqad is comprised of three distinct yet integrated areas based around a wetlands preserve near Salalah, Oman. Currently the wetlands preserve is isolated and unused, the Khwar Awqad Eco-Resort and Sustainable Lifestyle Destination will connect the wetlands preserve to the city of Salalah by the means of a dense car-free community and resort. The Wetlands Park is an educational destination that features the natural wildlife of the wetlands. A stop along the migratory path for birds of all types in the Middle East and Africa, the park is a natural splendor, and the landscaping is conducive to learning as well as prime viewing. The eco-resort provides a place for far away visitors to stay that allows them full access to the park that doesn’t require a car. The new tourism that this park creates not only enhances the local identity and improves cultural awareness, but it will also boost the local businesses in the nearby residential development. The residential development is all sustainable, and uses traditional means of building, such as local materials and outdoor water features for natural cooling. The development has an esplanade park that can support retail and other businesses, as well as several different kinds of living options, to draw a diverse group of residents. New residents have a higher quality of life and increased local pride, because the community and resort amenities feed each other and are based on local cultural principals. The holistic approach to development serves the environment, the economy, and the community. The holistic, inside-out branding approach is an alternative approach to lifeless mass development that tries to modernize without attention to tradition. KABC’s approach bridges the gap between tradition and industry to provide authentic communities that benefit everyone from the global community, to national industry, to local business, to individual residents. Contact Klingmann Architects and Klingmann Architects
Category: Community Centre |