Designed for 2nd Sharjah Architecture Triennial, themed ‘The Beauty of Impermance,’ this project transformed the Al Qasimiyah school of the Emirate city into one of the event’s venues. The concept centers on creating a threshold that welcomes people in by opening out to the surroundings, redefining the relationship between the space and the urban landscape.

In a globalized context where local culture is increasingly diffuse, capitalist development has eroded regional identity. In response to this, the Ecuadoran firm Al Borde suggests a reflection: What does it mean to be local?

The scheme incorporates materials salvaged from local infrastructure. The Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) replaced wooden poles with metal ones. From the hundred or so pieces of wood disposed of, a selection of the best was made. The damaged ends of them were cut off and the remaining good parts were transformed into a functional structure that gives shade. The cladding of this structure was completed with palm-tree mats, a material traditionally used in the area and readily available in the bazaars.

The resulting work is characterized by a raw aesthetic, using natural materials that establish a direct discourse with the environs. The threshold not only complies with its mission of receiving visitors, but also invites them to experiment with and explore the interaction between the pavilion and its materials in their purest state.

The design is also flexible and sustainable, easy to assemble and take apart in different locations. This encourages its reuse. Over time, the materials will degrade naturally, closing the life cycle of the project.