The Tribune

By AZALETA ISHMAEL-NEWRY

TALENTED Bahamian students are participating in a design challenge for the Bahamian Pavilion to be showcased at Expo 2020 in Dubai, an event in which 180 countries will participate and which is expected to draw 25 million visitors over six months.

Four groups of architectural students and one group of culinary students from the University of The Bahamas (UB) earlier this month revealed their plans to an impressed audience of dignitaries, UB senior management and three judges.

The process included vision boards, conceptual ideas and 3D architecture models that were designed and constructed by the students, led by Professors Michael Edwards, of the Faculty of Art, and Valera Pintard-Flax, of the Faculty of Architecture. The culinary students, guided by Professor Donna Williams, unveiled their plans for Bahamian cuisine that will be promoted in the Pavilion.

Spearheaded by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the UB, the results of the first part of the challenge were unveiled on December 7.

“Learning happens across disciplines. Dubai Expo 2020 provides opportunities for students working across those disciplines,” said Linda Davis, Provost of the UB. “It brought artists together with architects into a space where they had to feel their way around and negotiate. In this space, learning took place ... and on behalf of the President and the faculty, we are pretty excited.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said he was impressed with the talent and commitment he saw in the students and reminded them that they are part of the future of their country. “Five years ago, the Bahamas Government started diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates. What fascinated me about that region was the story of ‘The Arabian Nights’ that conjured up fascinating images. When you see the city of Dubai, you get the impression that it’s what happened. Their leaders systematically tackled the planning of the city that started 45 years ago and it is now world-class and well laid out,” he said.

“Dubai saw Atlantis and they duplicated it. We are thinking and hoping that this opportunity (Expo 2020 Dubai), gives you extraordinary opportunity and possibility. My view is that wherever you go in this world, you will take your heart, mind and soul. Your obligation is to always reach back to lift up the next generation. Reach back where your opportunity takes you.”

Tony Joudi, Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar and Commissioner General for the Bahamas Pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai, said the efforts of the students had been appreciated in Dubai. He said the Managing Director of Dubai Expo 2020, Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi, “expressed her gratitude, appreciation and support for the students of the University of The Bahamas who have gone far and beyond their call of duty to show the world their level of commitment and dedication to the project”.

The UB students had gathered their ideas from classes and a lecture series that included architect Patrick Rahming, who shared ways to create a city from a Bahamian perspective, and how the built environment should influence those ideas. Pam Burnside, Rosemary C Hanna and Patricia Glinton- Meicholas, of Creative Nassau, stressed the importance of actively developing a creative tourism model that would showcase Bahamian culture and engage visitors to travel to the Bahamas to experience the country’s philosophy, art and heritage, rather than only focusing on sand, sea and sun.

Michael Diggiss, architect and Project Manager at MDA Designs, was asked by Ambassador Joudi to lead in the co-ordination of the Bahamian Pavilion. T J Thompson, architect and Project Manager, is assisting in the co-ordination of the UB Expo 2020 Dubai initiative.

“The building is an envelope and the experience is created inside and outside of the building,” said Mr Diggiss. “Some of the things that came to life were the natural elements of the sun, water, Junkanoo and Bahamian birds. Elements that exist throughout the Bahamas were used to influence those ideas, including the use of natural resources.” A few of the students incorporated Bahamian material like pine and straw into their plans, and one group likened Dubai’s climate to the Bahamas as both countries sit on the Tropic of Cancer.

During their first semester, the architect and art students worked on the conceptual and planning ideas. The Expo 2020 Dubai Bahamas Pavilion will incorporate retail, entertainment and food areas. Designs focused on Bahamian icons like the flamingo and Abaco parrot, the country’s physical beauty of sand and water and sailing, while Junkanoo was a common theme.

At the presentation, positive feedback from the judges, UB president, Dr Rodney Smith and others was well received and there were suggestions to further incorporate elements from all the islands that make up the Bahamas.

The first four of architect groups included Terrence Arnold, Walter Evans and Whitney Sturrup. Their design featured a unique roof that imitated the wings of a parrot.

Group two included Dylan Miles and Toni Dorsett, who combined their inspiration of water and sailing with influences from the geometric and colourful Junkanoo forms.

Group three’s members were Kenaz Bethel and Matel McDonald and their design had forms radiating from a central core - light. Their Pavilion included areas for music and an auditorium.

Group four consisted of Alexis Lightbourne, Kacey Duncombe, Sheena Heastie and Royce Archer, who focused on the flamingo taking flight, using a metaphor for the Bahama islands being taken to the world.

The judges were Royann Dean, a branding consultant and artist; Alecia Oxley, architect and historian at the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation, and Professor Henry Hepburn, UB lecturer and architect. The second part of the design challenge will be unveiled in the Spring and will include the details and programme planning.

Ambassador Joudi, who is an engineer, said that he was very impressed with the first part of the challenge.