WIND CATCHER AND SHADOW HUNTER / Wind Tower Square of Bab Al Bahrain

There are endogenous changes from developments and changes coming from western influences. The conception of Wind Tower Square [WTS] keeps Bahrain’s identity – also by adapting some western influences. Besides: Many important things we call ‘western’ are not ‘western’ but ‘universal’. WTS is a new strategy to renew the Arabic urban public space. The old shapes the new, the basic conception for design comes from studying the local traditional wind tower architecture. Like a matrix, 16 huge columns compose a whole building structure. An urban multifunctional volume is rising from the ground. The rising functional volume is used for post office, Cafe and recreations. The ground is open for pedestrian, 2 underground floors are for parking. As wind catchers, the columns create a climate exchange system for the whole construction. The public space is defined as a multi-dimensional daily life stage. Everyone can participate and contribute the local culture for future. WTS present the future of Bahrain: sustainable development, respect to traditions and open to the world.

Project Description: wind tower, office, café, recreations, urban public space Project Location: Bab Al Bahrain Site area: 43,081m2 Building area: 14,400 m2 Design: 2012 Chief Architect: Che Fei Design Team: Zhao Chao, Chang Yue, Hanny Honoris