LAGI 2010

site typology: urban gateways

LAGI 2010 was the first LAGI biennial competition in which we asked interdisciplinary teams to consider large-scale works of art that have the added benefit of generating clean energy at a utility-scale. It was held for three sites in the UAE and the award ceremony and exhibition was sponsored by Masdar and held at the 2011 World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.

Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted initiative advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable and alternative energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today’s fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future—developing the “greenprint” for how we will live and work tomorrow. Backed by the stability and reputation of the Mubadala Development Company, an investment vehicle of the government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the emirate’s long-term vision for the future of energy.

Design Sites

For the 2010 competition teams were able to choose from the following three sites in the United Arab Emirates.

SITE 1: DUBAI, ADJACENT TO RAS AL KHOR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Located at the end of Dubai Creek at the edge of the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, the existing site is a mixture of white sand and loose soil with a number of native desert plants. No part of the site boundary includes any of the wetlands area and the site is approximately the location of a future visitor center for the park.

To the east of the site is a large development, The Lagoons, which is under construction. The site runs parallel to the highly trafficked RT. 44 highway from which a row of trees forms a light buffer. The site offers beautiful views into the Wildlife Sanctuary and to the long skyline of Dubai’s financial district beyond.

SITE 2: ABU DHABI, BETWEEN YAS AND SAADIYAT ISLANDS

Located on a stretch of waterfront off the road that connects Yas Island to Saadiyat Island, the site is mostly devoid of vegetation and consists of white sandy soil.

The area of water directly off the shore of the site has been included in the plot limits to allow the design teams an opportunity to interact with the water through the design although this is certainly not a requirement. If the design does extend into the water, care should be taken to respect the natural existing condition of the shoreline and aquatic ecosystems.

SITE 3: ABU DHABI, AIRPORT ROAD NEAR MASDAR CITY

This site is directly across the street from the southeast border of the Masdar City site. While the site is defined on all sides by roads, there is a very effective landscaping buffer along the perimeter of the site. When standing on the site the surrounding roads, which are not highly trafficked, are not very noticeable. The vegetation on the site is native desert low-lying shrubs and a few crops of medium size trees the locations of which are visible in the satellite images.

Supporter

Design Brief

Follow this link to find the LAGI 2010 Design Brief Document

Launch Brochure

Follow this link to find the LAGI 2010 Launch Brochure

Publication

The Time Is Now: Public Art of the Sustainable City
Purchase >

More photos of the LAGI exhibition at WFES 2011 can be found here.