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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
On December 7, 2016 the University of The Bahamas (UB) students from the Faculties of Architecture, Art, and
Culinary presented their ideas for the Expo 2020 Dubai Challenge for a Bahamian Pavilion at the World Expo.
Present were the Honourable Fred Mitchell, Minister of Immigration and Foreign Affairs, H.E. Tony Joudi,
Ambassador to the U.A.E. and the State of Qatar, H.E. Dr. Richard C. Demeritte, Dr. Rodney Smith, the President
of the University of The Bahamas (UB), Dr. Linda Davis, Provost, UB. Professors Michael Edwards, Faculty of
Arts and Valeria Pintard-Flax of Architecture and Donna Williams from Culinary as well as the judges: Royann
Dean, Alecia Oxley and Professor Henry Hepburn, Lecturer and Architect at UB were on hand to judge the
groups.
In the photo above from left to right are: Front row – H.E. Tony Joudi, Ambassador to the UAE and the State of
Qatar, and Commissioner General for The Bahamas Pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai, Dr. Rodney Smith, President
of the UB, H.E. Richard Demeriette, Hon. Fred Mitchell, Minister of Immigration and Foreign Affairs. Also shown
in the photo are professors and students and the Chairman of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, Edison
Sumner (third row, left). Photo by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry
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Nassau, Bahamas – Talented Bahamian students are participating in a design challenge for the Bahamian Pavilion to be showcased at Expo 2020 in Dubai.
Approximately 180 countries will participate in the World Expo that will have a site covering 4.38 square kilometers, including a 200 hectare gated area that will be adjacent to the Al Maktoum International Airport. Participation will be an important opportunity for The Bahamas to showcase its country to an estimated 25 million visitors over a 6-month period.
Four groups of architect students and one group of culinary students from the University of The Bahamas (UB) revealed their plans to an impressed audience of dignitaries, University of The Bahamas senior management and three judges.
Spearheaded by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the University of The Bahamas; the results of the first part of the challenge were unveiled on December 7, 2016. The process included vision boards, conceptual ideas and 3D architecture models that were designed and constructed by the students, led by Professors Michael Edwards of the Faculty of Art and Valera Pintard-Flax of the Faculty of Architecture. The culinary students, guided by Professor Donna Williams, unveiled their plans for Bahamian cuisine that will be promoted in the Pavilion.
University of The Bahamas Expo 2020 Dubai Design Challenge: Terrance Arnold, a student in the Faculty of Architecture
at the University of The Bahamas explain details on Group One’s 3D model for the Expo 2020 Dubai design challenge.
Photo by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry
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“Learning happens across disciples. Dubai Expo 2020 provides opportunities for students working across those disciples,” said Linda Davis, Provost of the University of The Bahamas. “It brought artists together with architects into a space where they had to feel their way around and negotiate. In this space, learning took place… and on behalf of the President and the faculty, we are pretty excited,” said Davis.
Minister Mitchell added that he too was impressed with the talent and commitment he saw in the students and reminded them that they are part of the future of their country. “Five years ago The Bahamas Government started diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emeritus. What fascinated me about that region was the story of the Arabian Nights that conjured up fascinating images. When you see the city of Dubai, you get the impression that it what happened. Their leaders systematically tackled the planning of the city that started 45 years ago and it is now world-class and well laid out,” said Mitchell.
“Dubai saw Atlantis and they duplicated it. We are thinking and hoping that this opportunity (Expo 2020 Dubai), gives you extraordinary opportunity and possibility. My view is that wherever you go in this world, you will take your heart, mind and soul. Your obligation is to always reach back to lift up the next generation. Reach back where your opportunity takes you. I would like to see what you have and to engage with you,” said Mitchell.
At the onset of the presentations, H.E. Tony Joudi, Ambassador to the UAE and the State of Qatar, and Commissioner General for The Bahamas Pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai shared some exciting news.
“The Minister and I visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi last week where we met with Government officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While there, I had the pleasure of meeting with the Managing Director of Dubai Expo 2020, Her Excellency Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi, who is also the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs,” said Joudi. “Her Excellency has expressed her gratitude, appreciation, and support for the students of the University of The Bahamas who have gone far and beyond their call of duty to show the world their level of commitment and dedication to the project.”
University of The Bahamas Expo 2020 Dubai Design Challenge: Group two included Dylan Miles (left) and Toni Dorsett
(right) who combined their inspiration of water and sailing with influences from the geometric and colourful Junkanoo
forms. Standing on the far right is Professor, Michael Edwards from the Faculty of Arts. Photo by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry
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Joudi spoke also about the communication wishing the students well on their presentations. “Recently, I received two important emails: one from Ms. Hend Al Mheiri, who is the Manager in charge of international participants and is the coordinator for the Caribbean region, and the other from Mr. Omar Shehadeh, who is the Senior Vice President, Operations of the international participants. They are very anxious excited to see your results and they were aware of the presentation and send their good wishes to you today,” stated Ambassador Joudi.
The UB students had gathered their ideas from classes and a lecture series that included Architect Patrick Rahming, who shared ways to create a city from a Bahamian perspective, and how the Built Environment should influence those ideas. Pam Burnside, Rosemary C. Hanna, and Patricia Glinton-Meicholas of Creative Nassau, expanded by stressing the importance of actively developing a creative tourism model that would showcase Bahamian culture and engage visitors to travel to The Bahamas to experience the country’s philosophy, art and heritage, rather than only focusing on sand, sea and sun. Michael Diggiss, Architect and Project Manager at MDA Designs, was asked by Ambassador Tony Joudi to lead in the coordination of the Bahamian Pavilion. T.J. Thompson, Architect and Project Manager, is assisting in the coordination of the UB Expo 2020 Dubai initiative.
“The Building is an envelope and the experience is created inside and outside of the building,” said Diggiss. “Some of the things that came to life were the natural elements of the sun, water, Junkanoo, and Bahamian birds. Elements that exist throughout The Bahamas were used to influence those ideas, including the use of natural resources,” he said. A few of the students incorporated Bahamian material like pine and straw into their plans, and one group likened Dubai’s climate to The Bahamas as both countries sit on the Tropic of Cancer.
University of The Bahamas Expo 2020 Dubai Design Challenge: Group Four’s vision boards and 3D model were on
display. Students included Alexis Lightbourne, Kacey Duncombe, Sheena Heastie and Royce Archer. They focused on
the flamingo taking flight, using a metaphor for The Bahama Islands being taken to the world. Photo by Azaleta Ishmael-
Newry
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During their first semester, the architect and art students worked on the conceptual and planning ideas. The Expo 2020 Dubai Bahamas Pavilion will incorporate retail, entertainment and food areas. Designs focused on Bahamian icons like the flamingo and Abaco parrot, the country’s physical beauty of sand and water and sailing, while Junkanoo was a common theme amongst all. The culinary students introduced Bahamian food while the art students assisted with art themes. At the presentation, positive dialogue from the judges, the president of UB, Dr. Rodney Smith and others was well received and there were suggestions to further incorporate elements from all the Islands that make up The Bahamas.
Approximately 14 architect and culinary students presented. The four architect groups were: Group one included Terrence Arnold, Walter Evans and Whitney Sturrup. Their design featured a unique roof that imitated the wings of a parrot; Group two included Dylan Miles and Toni Dorsett who combined their inspiration of water and sailing with influences from the geometric and colourful Junkanoo forms; Group three’s members were Kenaz Bethel and Matel McDonald and their design had forms radiating from a central core – light. Their Pavilion included areas for music and an auditorium; Group four consisted of Alexis Lightbourne, Kacey Duncombe, Sheena Heastie and Royce Archer. They focused on the flamingo taking flight, using a metaphor for The Bahama Islands being taken to the world.
The judges on hand for the presentation were Royann Dean, a Branding Consultant and Artist; Alecia Oxley, Architect and Historian at Antiquities and Monuments Department, and Professor Henry Hepburn, Lecturer and Architect at the University of The Bahamas. The second part of the design challenge that will be unveiled in the Spring will include the details and program planning.
Ambassador Joudi who is an engineer said that he was very impressed with the first part of the challenge, adding, “I cannot wait to see what you present in the upcoming months.”
Part two of the Bahamas Pavilion Expo 2020 Challenge will take part in April 2017. Michael Diggiss thanked the students and professors for taking on the challenge and has asked the students to showcase not only their creative thinking but also what the Bahamas can further become in the future.
After all, if the famous Atlantis, Paradise Island was recreated in Dubai who knows what influences of the United Arab Emeritus can be incorporated into our small nation by up and rising architecture and fine art students from the University of The Bahamas!
University of The Bahamas Expo 2020 Dubai Design Challenge: Group Four’s vision board shown in the photo above
expresses their inspiration of the flamingo and elements for their Bahamian Pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai. Students
included Alexis Lightbourne, Kacey Duncombe, Sheena Heastie and Royce Archer. Photo by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry
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© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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