s h u b h d h a a s h o k
re-conditioning the
disjunctures
Of Expatriate Living
The world-at-large is being displaced, such that a place (local or foreign), is becoming unrecognizable through modernization. This has caused a socio-political tension between cultures, thus constructing differentials and separation through religion, gender, race, etc. Design can be used to re-stitch these disparate cultures, through a ‘third place’ to brake the status-quo in re-imagining a new social culture. in order to bridge the clash between two communities, the role of architecture calls for a space to set the foundation for re-conditioning human relationships through tacit communities, the role of architecture calls for a space to set the foundation for re-conditioning human relationships through tacit programming that can draw a diverse population through experiences that otherwise do not allow for co-existence, such as outdoor recreation, exchange of diversified commerce, and a platform for the oppressed.
It’s current sparsely surrounded strategic location is expected to develop in the near future. With the trending outward shift from the outskirts of old-town Muscat, the project can assist in attracting this shift to the national and expatriate residents of Oman.
The community of Al-Mawalih across the street provides scope for integrating local cultures along with the cosmopolitan ethos of Al-Mouj to design a hybrid community. With the vision to design a social, cultural and affordable economy, ‘Al Mouj’ and ‘Al Mawalih’, can captivate a diverse audience that isn’t discriminated by social, cultural, or economic barriers.
While the migrational crisis is persistent throughout the world, the intent of this thesis is to re-condition how the role of architecture can impact human nature within separate cultures. The bridge at Muscat, Oman serves as a stepping stone to dissolve the label as ‘others’ towards the expatriate population through a wide range of programs such as the fish market, the traditional souks, shaded walkways, and a public platform for women. These situational strategies allow for diverse cultures to inter-connect in between densities without conscious decision making. Thus, the bridge serves as a dynamic ‘third place’ to go to than go through.
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