Concept

The Footprint was inspired by, you guessed it, the footprint of a penguin. From the inception of the idea the goal was to make the footprint of the building mimic the footprint of a penguin. The goal was achieved by creating three dome shaped forms or varying sizes. Each dome imitates one toe of the penguin’s footprint. To complete the concept of a footprint in plan, ribbed shading elements begin before the entrance. These ribs create an obvious and interesting entrance to the building. On one side of the ribs is the external penguin exhibition area and on the other is a beautiful view of Al-Ain’s mountains.

Structure