An Oceanic Research and Education center that aims to raise awareness on Qatar's declining marine environment through an immersive and sensory setting that allows visitors to feel as if they've plunged deep into the ocean while focusing on ocean-related initiatives and issues of global concern.
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WHAT?
Today’s oceans represent the earth’s largest ecosystem. The oceans enable biodiversity, regulate climate, preserve carbon, and support many people’s physical well-being by providing valuable nutrition. Despite the Persian Gulf’s significance in the Middle East, human activities have greatly threatened its existence and its habitant species.
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WHY?
The most significant challenges that Qatar faces today are the high levels of oil and gas waste in the area, coastal development and rapid industrialization. However, the most prominent problem is Climate Change. The public’s lack of understanding and disregard for the issue, along with the lack of research on the marine environment, are the most pressing problems that must be addressed in order to save our ocean and its habitant species from further harm.
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OUR FUTURE IS IN OUR HANDS
What is needed is a blue call to action. This is why the Oceanic Education and Research Center aims to research, spread awareness, educate and further encourage collaboration within the community to protect Qatar’s deteriorating coast and its species from further harm, in the hopes that one day the damage on our oceans can be reversed. The project’s overarching purpose is to strengthen the connection between humans and the ocean, and it is this connection that will serve as the catalyst for the movement.
A BLUE CALL TO ACTION
Despite the Persian Gulf’s significance in the Middle East, human activities have greatly threatened its existence and its habitant species.The public’s lack of understanding and disregard for the issue, along with the lack of research on the marine environment, are the most pressing problems that must be addressed in order to save our ocean and its habitant species from further harm. What is needed is a blue call to action.
Concept
THE PEARL DIVING VOYAGE
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When young people think about Qatar’s maritime history, they think about how their grandfathers used to go on sea voyages in the age of pearl diving, and the sorts of environments and experiences they would be exposed to. Its because of these cultural patterns the present and the past come together to paint a bright picture of the future. The concept strives to restore these very traditions within the authentic past to create a cultural and demographic connection. The creative influence is derived from the pearl diving voyage. It’s a journey of knowledge, experience and serendipity where sailors would be immersed and one with the sea. Through the curated experience, positive connections between people and nature, specifically the sea, in the built environment will be reestablished.
