Arts Thread

Post globalization and rapid development, the UAE lost its identity to westernization and is, bit by bit, burying its roots on the expense of local architecture. Consequently, ancient structures, such as fortifications, are being alienated. Having served their purpose of protection in the past, it is their time to be celebrated and embraced today. Coalescence is a ‘recreational cultural hub’ that aims to strengthen the existence of heritage in the UAE by highlighting the historic fortifications at the top of the Dhayah mountain. Located in Ras Al Khaimah, the site is exposed to four different landscapes: gulf, mangroves, mountain range, and desert, all of which influence the architecture. Being disconnected from the urban fabric and from the views, Dhayah mountain is used as a tool to build this connection, physically and non-physically, between the forts (heritage) and their surrounding (the city). The project is comprised of multiple masses inserted within the mountain, housing different activities that relate back to heritage; pearl diving, bird watching, and mountain climbing are among such activities. The aim to learn and practice what local ancestors did for a living is a way to rejuvenate the past and surface it back to our present and future.