Fishing culture under a pavilion

Fishing culture under a pavilion

Al-Suwaiq is a city located on the coast of Al Batinah 100 km West of Muscat, Oman. The community in the coastal towns in Al-Suwaiq has been suffering from economic and social disruption due to the big coastal highway project, which is planned to take over their neighborhoods that are directly located on the shore.

This major project has stopped now due to administrative challenges. Consequently, the communities – especially those who are waiting to be relocated – were left in a limbo state where they can not plan for their near future nor they can enjoy their regular lifestyle and economic activities such as fishing.

The pavilion will act as an envelope that is situated on top of the fishermen’s existing Areeshs and structures to facilitate their fishing and social activities and celebrate the memory of this town and the fishing culture. In the practical aspect, this project examines what structural and material elements could be combined to create a community-oriented space while adhering to circular design principles.

The proposed location of the project is situated behind the local mosque of Al Qarha which acts as a visual focal point in the town, and also it is the first landmark on the land that can be recognized from the sea, according to the fishermen’s perspective.