Mega Dunes Ecolodges - Abu Dhabi

Registration Deadline: Monday, Jun 1, 202011:59 PMBST

Submission Deadline: Friday, Jul 10, 202011:59 PMBST

The Arabian Oryx is a medium-sized antelope that is native to the Middle East. It has long, straight horns, a tufted tail and a distinct shoulder bump, and it is the smallest member of the genus Oryx. Native to desert and steppe areas of the Arabian Peninsula, the Arabian Oryx was considered extinct in the wild at the start of the 1970s.

However, a number of breeding programs in zoos and private reserves meant that Arabian Oryx numbers slowly increased, and they were reintroduced into the wild from 1980. As of 2009, there are a number of Arabian Oryx living in Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, yet the species is still listed as vulnerable.

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE, and is home to rich, natural biodiversity which includes a number of unique desert-dwelling species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, including the Arabian Oryx. The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) is one of the driving forces behind efforts to maintain the emirate’s dwindling natural population, setting up and maintaining a number of environmentally protected areas.

Established in 2018, the “Sheikh Zayed Protected Areas Network” consists of 13 terrestrial protected areas and covers over 15% of Abu Dhabi’s territory. The Qasar Al Sarab Protected Area covers 1304 square kilometers in which the Arabian Oryx roams freely; and the Arabian Oryx Protected Area, which covers 5975 square kilometers, is home to the largest population of Arabian Oryx in the world.

In order to maintain public interest in these amazing creatures, and allow the public to view them up close, the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) are looking to create a series of sustainable visitor lodgesthat can be positioned throughout the protected area. The key design feature would need to be sustainability, in such sensitive natural environments, the visitor lodges must not have a negative impact on the environment of the protected areas or any species living within.

The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) is interested in constructing approximately 25 units within their protected areas, as such winning designs will need to involve creative solutions for construction and operation within these delicate environments, while at the same time providing an exciting and comfortable experience for visitors.

PRIZES

3 winning proposals, 3 special award recipients and 6 honourable mentions will be selected. Bee Breeders will award a total of US $7,000 in prize money to competition winners as follows:

1st Prize - US $3,000
2nd Prize - US $1,500
3rd Prize - US $500
+ 6 honourable mentions

“Competition Client's Favourite” Award - US $1000
BB Student Award - US $500
BB Green Award - US $500

COMPETITION SCHEDULE (extended)

Closing date for registration: JUNE 1, 2020
Closing date for submission: JULY 10, 2020 (11:59pm GMT)
Announcement of the winners: AUGUST 2, 2020

More information - ecolodges.beebreeders.com