GHASSAN ALSERAYHI
 MSc. Arch, M. Arch, B. Arch, Assoc. SCE

ARCHITECT + EDUCATOR + RESEARCHER
REDESIGNING THE FISH LAKE
IN JEDDAH CITY
SUBJECT: SAUDI DESIGN COMPETITION  
TYPE: LANDSCAPE+URBAN DESIGN
CLIENT: JEDDAH MUNICIPALITY
DATE: 2016
The project aims to create an urban space that resonates with the community and tourists, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and its developmental plans. This vision seeks to foster a healthy, cultural, and social environment for its users by integrating features such as walking paths, green spaces, public museums, shops, and natural lighting. One of the primary goals is to enhance the cultural awareness of the visitors regarding the rich history of Jeddah city and its maritime activities. This is achieved through the establishment of a public museum that not only highlights the significance of marine and human civilization but also allows visitors to experience this significance firsthand through the project's design philosophy, sculptures, and museum. The project is designed to attract a diverse range of age and social groups, with special consideration for inclusive design to accommodate people with special needs. It contributes to the community's sensory and artistic upliftment through its aesthetic and artistic expressions.

Moreover, the project seeks integration with the adjacent seafront promenade by establishing three pedestrian axes that enhance movement and interaction, aiming to balance the overall carrying capacity of the area. It also opens up investment opportunities for the state and entrepreneurs by incorporating commercial shops within the project, fostering economic growth and community engagement.

DESIGN CONCEPT:

The design concept of the project underwent several stages, carefully considering the site's limitations, social, economic, and environmental dimensions. A symbolic fish sculpture is retained as a central landmark, bridging the project with the opposite corniche walkway through pathways that welcome and attract pedestrians. The vicinity of the fish sculpture is transformed into a lively, vibrant urban space accessible to the public, enriched with entertainment and cultural elements that elevate the health, social, and cultural well-being of its visitors.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY:

The design philosophy revolves around reinvigorating the fish landmark both physically and symbolically. The fish serves as a visible emblem of the project, extending the legacy of the previous landmark. It is replicated in three pivotal locations within the project (at its edges and center), each reflecting the different states of fish in our environment. At the project's peripheries, the fish symbolizes drought and neglect, highlighting the urgent need for marine conservation and cultural awareness. Conversely, at the center of the project, the fish represents fertility and abundance, signifying the rejuvenation of marine life and its sustainable coexistence with humans, a metaphor for the enlightening journey of visitors through the cultural museum to the heart of the project.


















The project is functionally divided into three sections: social, cultural, and entertainment. The social and entertainment elements are placed on the surface of the site, while the cultural part is located below at a depth of 4 meters. This arrangement maximizes the use of the site and embodies the project's philosophical narrative, enhancing the element of surprise with the presence of the fish at the heart of the project, which is encountered through the museum.



FINAL RESULT