AWARD-Winning ‘unity park’

Zaki Sayed Ahmad and Associates (SA+a) was awarded 2nd place prize by the Jordanian Engineers Association (JEA) for the design of ‘Unity Park’.

This park was designed with cultural, ecological, sustainable, and historical impact in mind. It aims to evoke a sense of belonging, harmony, and unity through its vibrant spatial framework balancing ecological and human needs. Its modern composition intends to spark innovation whilst showcasing Arabic achievements through history.

Designed to be a destination for the local community, the park offers a multipurpose hall, cafeteria, outdoor theatre, playground, and shaded spaces. The hall opening to the landscape is an active open space that serves the community and hosts a multitude of lively events like open markets, performances, and exhibitions.

The stark angles of the building embraces the park creating a safe enclosure for visitors. The shell slopes and integrates itself with the hardscape creating a terraced space connected to the cafeteria. A constant visual and physical link is maintained between the interior and exterior spaces. Nature light floods the interior spaces whilst still being shaded from the harsh sun glare through the cantilevered slab edge. Glistening light pokes through lenses in the shell, a modern take on the ‘Mashrabbiyeh’ typology prominent in the area. More cultural significance is represented through the park’s audio wall, an interactive sensory experience that showcases key Arabic engineering innovations and stimulates visitors and kids playing.

Like pieces of mosaic, the hardscape compliments the building and provides a lively experience with a water feature and a dynamic carved seating space. It was important that the park incorporates a variety of indigenous plants that are familiar to the region. Rainfall is harvested through the building’s sloped shell as well as embedded soakaways and stored in underground water tanks to be used for irrigation.