The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday sat through a series of presentations related to the Dubai Expo 2020, as student groups from the University of The Bahamas pitched design concepts for the country’s cultural pavilion set to go on display at the event.

Mr Christie later said he was “encouraged” by the calibre of work produced by the students, adding that the decision to entrust this historic opportunity to the nation’s youth has paid off.

Mr Christie said the country should move forward with the thought that it is, as like in the Olympics, in a position to again out perform countries considered bigger and more advanced.

“We in The Bahamas at the professional level have won medals and certifications in the region in terms of the culinary arts,” Mr Christie said.

“So clearly, just as we have won gold medals in the Olympics, I would want to believe…. that we have the capacity to impress upon the host country that we should be given pre-eminence and I think one of the points that I would like to comment to them is that this is one where you are demonstrating that a small country can equal the big county and when you point out to them that when you take per capita we always win the Olympics.

“We are the perfect example of innovation, creativity and artistic genius,” he said.

In addition to this, Mr Christie urged the designers to consider more elements that best describe the geographical make-up of the islands of The Bahamas.

The Centreville MP said that aspect of The Bahamas makes its story of success more unique than any other being told around the world.

The UB architecture programme was tasked with the effort to generate a design with the assistance of the Michael Diggins and Associates firm.

The first of the four designs presented, drafted by Terrence Arnold, Walter Evans III and Whitney Sturrup, adapted the country’s tourism logo to show a site capable of hosting several cultural experiences simultaneously.

The design features six unique structures submerged in a shallow body of water. The site is proposed to converge at a central location that will act as the hub of the pavilion.

The designers made known the intent to surround the project with native fruits trees, cultural highlights, vibes and sounds.

The second proposal, a boat inspired concept crafted by Toni Dorsett and Dylan Miles, opted for vibrant colour and natural elements.

While the structure features an array of components, all are housed under one roof.

The design duo said the concept will give the impression to those that have entered the structure that they have embarked on a journey through time in Bahamian history, with a main corridor that will act as a shuttle from one period to the other.

The two level structure will feature an aquarium, eating spaces and several unique cultural zones.

Design three, developed by Kenaz Bethel and Matel McDonald, pitched the premise that it was now time for The Bahamas to culturally take flight.

The team morphed a star design to feature key elements of a bird, to deliver its multi-level cultural pavilion.

The last design, produced by the team of Royce Archer, Kacey Duncombe, Sheena Heastie and Alexis Lightbourne, took a de-constructed approach to the national bird.

Presenting a segmented idea of the flamingo, the group incorporated vegetation areas, cultural areas and several other components they said would give the impression that The Bahamas relocated to Dubai.

In attendance at Monday’s presentations was the Bahamas’ Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and The States of Qatar, Tony S Joudi, who provided the country’s mandate for the event and overall plan on the project would advance in the coming years.

United Arab Emirates and The States of Qatar will cover the cost of construction for the pavilion as hosts of the event.

The expo is schedule to run from October 2020 to April 2021 and will give visitors to Dubai with the chance to “see spectacular architecture, merge with global cultures, examine thoughtful and thought-provoking exhibitions, and taste food from every corner of the globe.”