Intended as a focal point for Muscat’s new Al Mouj district and a destination for the whole city, this open public space combines the geometrical formality and edge activation of classical European plazas with shading and maze-like qualities typical of Middle Eastern gathering places. Linking the main boulevard to the seafront promenade, it features informal zones, water features, terraced seating areas, and an amphitheatre. The landscaped surface, of local Desert Rose marble inset with black granite lines, draws from traditional Omani patterns and shares a unified visual identity with the powder-coated aluminium mashrabiya walls of the restaurant and café buildings and the shading canopies, blurring the boundaries between elements. The robust finishes minimise maintenance requirements. The parametric design for the canopy perforations takes advantage of sea winds for cooling and responds to shading needs. Plantings are of climate-appropriate species, and the project is integrated into the development’s water cycle strategy.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture