Comment of the Holcim Awards 2005 Jury for Africa Middle East
This project is merited for its enterprising effort to rehabilitate a coastal region with outstanding approaches in construction technology as well as innovative concepts for design. The author advances a responsible concern for ensuring that tourism-driven development of the context will take place in a way that is responsive to the Islamic culture and architectural heritage of the city, both of which now stand threatened by purely profit-focused development.
To be commended is the systematic approach that covers the overall scale of the urban environment, neighborhood planning, as well as proposed redevelopment and preservation strategies far particular buildings.
Along with maintaining a strong sense of cultural identity, the project would certainly contribute to the conservation of resources by facilitating the reuse of an existing stock of buildings and other structures. From an economic perspective, such a well considered proposal for urban and building renewal enhances tourism, which in turn provides a boost to the economic and livelihood opportunities of the residents.
Providing a convincing inspiration for cultural identity, the project demonstrates a high degree of sensitivity and skill in formulating interactions between regional development and cultural awareness.